ON EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN, PUBLIC STRONGLY OPPOSES THE WAR: COALITION OF ACTIVISTS CALL ON LEADERS FOR WITHDRAWAL
Thousands join CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE and Community Leaders Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans,Tom Hayden, Barbara Ehrenreich and Paul Haggis in Calling for Change
WASHINGTON D.C. - On the 8th Anniversary of the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Afghanistan, with public opinion opposing the war at an all time high, CODEPINK, United For Peace & Justice, Peace Action West, MADRE, Brave New Films and a coalition of progressive and antiwar organizations call on leaders for an exit strategy and near-term withdrawal.
Catalyzing the shift in public opinion toward a change in policy, the coalition is speaking out across the country supported by thousands of members. A petition to Take Action Against the War is being circulated widely signed by hundreds of community leaders, including longtime leader and activist Tom Hayden, CODEPINK founders Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin, author Barbara Ehrenreich, filmmaker Paul Haggis and many more (view the petition at: http://bit.ly/rNDFS).
“The tide has turned on the war in Afghanistan, we need to raise our voices over the din of distraction, so that turning tide can bring our troops home and much needed peace and development to the people of Afghanistan” said CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans. “This week we aim to shake the ground below those who profit from and push for war and remind Congress a majority of the U.S. citizens want military engagement in Afghanistan to end, NOW.”
This week of action comes at a pivotal moment, as President Obama considers authorizing more troops for Afghanistan. Congressional leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Carl Levin are expressing opposition to increased troop levels and according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, 57 percent of Americans now oppose the war in Afghanistan. “Our military is overstretched, our wallets are empty and there are no military solutions to these conflicts," said CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin. "We can save money, save lives and honor the will of the American people by focusing on negotiated solutions and bringing our troops home.”
The coalition and petition call on leaders to oppose escalation of troops, adopt an exit strategy based on all-party talks, regional diplomacy, unconditional humanitarian aid, and timelines promising an American and NATO military withdrawal from Afghanistan The Petition to Take Action Against the War will be delivered to Congress Thursday, just one day before the September 18th anniversary of the AUMF - the bill that authorized the invasion of Afghanistan.
CODEPINK Founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans are available for interview. Contact Dana Balicki, 202.422.8624, dana@codepinkalert.org For more information go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4895.
