9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition Forms

From: mark r. wolff
Date: Aug 10, 2007 7:10 PM
Subject: [MECCorganizing] 8/15: Peace Picnic
To: MECCorganizing

August 9, 2007
For Immediate Release

9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition Forms;
Plans Peace Picnic and Walk on August 15th

For more information contact: Kristine Piatt
Phone: 617-997-1435
E-mail: kfpiatt [at] comcast [dot] net

Milton, MA ….Anti-war groups in the 9th Congressional District, like their counterparts around the country, have become increasingly frustrated with Congress' inability to end the war in Iraq. This Spring residents of Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Brockton, Westwood, Dorchester, South Boston, Walpole, Stoughton, Milton, Needham, Randolph, Roslindale, Dedham, Jamaica Plain and Canton have formally joined together to create the 9th District-Out of Iraq Coalition. It has been noted that recently Representative Stephen Lynch has begun to consistently vote against the war.

The goals of the District 9-Out of Iraq Coalition are to end the war in Iraq, to bring our military troops and their supporting contractors home immediately, and to have our elected representative, Stephen Lynch, co-sponsor bills that achieve these ends. As a first action, the Coalition asked all peace group members to contact Representative Lynch by letter, telephone, or email and urge him to support legislation to end funding of the war and bring our troops home. Judging from feedback, many contacts with the Representative's office were made. Now the Coalition is planning a peace picnic and walk in South Boston on August 15th (rain
date: August 22nd), with many peace activists anticipated.

The Peace Picnic will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the beach at G Street and Day Boulevard in South Boston. Participants will bring their own "brown bag" picnic; Representative Lynch is invited to join with his constituents at the gathering. At 6:45 p.m. a walk is scheduled through South Boston to Representative Lynch's home. Signs indicating the different peace groups attending and their sentiments will be carried, along with candles commemorating the Iraq war dead and wounded. In front of Representative
Lynch's home the names of those killed in Iraq will be read.

The District 9-Out of Iraq Coalition is seeking to have Representative Lynch respond decisively to the following facts concerning the war in Iraq:

• The initial 3 conditions for ending the war have been met: the drafting of a new Iraqi constitution, a referendum to ratify the constitution and general elections. Now it is time to bring our troops home.

• The war in Iraq has had enormous cost, both financial & personal, on Lynch's constituents. By pouring money into Iraq we are neglecting pressing needs at home.

• The war in Iraq has not made us safer. Actually we are made less safe, according to recently released government reports, by distracting attention and resources from real threats and arousing opposition to U.S. activities in the Middle East and throughout the world. There are no security benefits from continuing the war.

Polls clearly show most Americans have come to oppose the war, along with many of President Bush's other policies. "A war founded on lies, with no fixed criteria for winning, is unconscionable," said Kris Piatt of Milton For Peace, one of the organizations in the Coalition and its co-chair.

She continued, "It is time for Congress to follow the will of the American people and end this war immediately."

Ray Ajemian of Citizens for an Informed Community and co-chair of the Coalition added "We are happy that Lynch has moved [his position on the war] but now we want him to lead the way in exiting Iraq." The Coalition is getting results as Representative Lynch's recent voting record reflects. Now the Coalition's goal is to convince Representative Lynch to take an active, leadership role and aggressive stance to end the war.

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