The
Democrats Cave To Bush –
The Peace Movement Must Stand Up
By Kevin Zeese
04 May, 2007
Countercurrents.org
In
reaction to President Bush’s veto the Democrats are reportedly
caving in to give him a Iraq War funding without any obligation to end
the war. They are making Bush “the decider” once again.
It seems that rather than having a lame duck president we have a lame
Congress. The only thing that will end the war is constant, organized
and focused pressure from Americans who oppose the war.
Two peace moms have called
on anti-war activists to come to Washington, DC after Mother’s
Day. Cindy Sheehan is organizing a “Mother of a March” on
May 14, 2007. She is inviting “all mothers and all people who
have mothers” to join her. This will be the kick-off to a “Summer
of Action,” being spearheaded by Marine Mom Tina Richards. This
summer peace activists will swarm Congress from May 14 to July 31 to
urge an end to the war. You can see an interview of Tina Richards about
the “Summer of Action” at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV-elj7Lo70.
The last few months have shown that we can move Congress toward the
view that the war must end. When the Democrats came to power they said
“we will not use the power of the purse to end the war.”
Now, they have moved from that position to passing a bill that opposes
Bush enough for him to veto it. They did not include ending the war
on their first 100 hours agenda – now it is an issue they cannot
avoid.
More work is needed peace
advocated need to consistently stiffen the spine of Congress so they
have the courage to do what the people want – end the war. As
the 2008 election approaches the power of the anti-war voter becomes
greater, especially if it is organized and focused.
Cindy Sheehan says “The Camp Casey Peace Institute is calling
for a march on Congress on Monday, May 14th to demand an end to the
war and an end to the Bush Regime.” The marchers will meet at
the Ellipse at noon in front of the White House. For more information
see http://www.thecampcaseypeaceinstitute.org.
Tina Richards has been working in Washington, DC for the past several
months and she has seen the power that one committed person can have
on the nation’s capitol. You can see more about Tina on her website,
www.GrassRootsAmericaForUs.org and you can register to join us in the
“Summer of Action” in Washington, DC.
We want peace advocates to come and join us not only in traditional
lobbying but in “extraordinary lobbying.” The “Summer
of Action” will build on the successful efforts of activists in
DC and around the country who have been engaging in “extraordinary
lobbying” by occupying offices, protesting in the Halls of Congress
and sending a consistent message to end the war. It will build on the
Occupation Project, Voices for Creative Non-Violence, and the Declaration
of Peace. Already, key anti-war groups are supporting this effort including
United For Peace and Justice and Voters For Peace.
Bring people from your local
peace group and plan an office occupation or a demonstration inside
one of the congressional office buildings as part of the “Summer
of Action.” Or, come alone and join our ongoing efforts to pressure
Congress. To get some ideas of the types of events you can organize
visit www.WHYNotNews.org. They have been documenting many of the DC
events and will be doing so throughout the “Summer of Action.”
Republicans saw the power
of the peace vote in 2006 when they lost majority power and some of
their leading incumbents -- senators like George Allen and Rick Santorum
who thought they had an easy re-election and were considering running
for president -- were defeated. And Democrats saw anti-war candidates
win primary and general elections that were unexpected. Democrats know
they were elected to end the war. If they fail to fulfill that mandate
they will find themselves facing angry voters. In 2008 incumbents will
be held accountable for the war if they vote to fund the war.
The summer of 2007 will be a historical one that will be noted as the
turning point in efforts to end the war. The very visible and dramatic
activities of organized citizens swarming on Washington in the “Summer
of Action” will be seen as one of the key steps taken by the peace
movement to end the war. Come to the Capitol and be a part of history.
Kevin Zeese is
the director of DemocracyRising.US and a co-founder of VotersForPeace.US.
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