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We want to thank CODEPINK for their support and for creating this AMAZING page on their website. http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4487

SUPPORT MAY PEACE TRIP TO IRAN!

“Leslie and I are hoping to visit Iran with a CodePink delegation in May, 2009. “While we’re there, we’ll be talking with teachers and students about Friends of Iran, a program we’ve developed to build friendships between American and Iranian students, and their teachers. The best way to prevent a war is to establish friendships between the people.” Contributions for the Friends of Iran program and the upcoming trip to Iran are gratefully accepted. Click here to donate now, or send your tax-deductible donation (payable to CODEPINK) to to 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA 90291. Thank you! Promoting Peace with Iran Dear Friends, Leslie and I met in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s house in San Francisco during CODEPINK’s Troops Home Fast on July 5, 2006. I was putting up the ten foot tall Gandhi Puppet and Leslie asked if she could help. I said, “Yes!” and we’ve been together ever since. We spent a lot of time on the road during our first year, chauffeuring the Gandhi Puppet from Cindy Sheehan’s Camp Casey in Texas to Washington DC. In May, 2007, we visited Iran as part of a Global Exchange “Citizen Diplomacy” Delegation. Fourteen of us traveled throughout the country for a little over two weeks. What Leslie and I discovered was not at all what we were expecting. The Iranians we met were kind, sophisticated, and extremely generous … and they LOVE Americans. Here are some of the photos we took of these beautiful people. Why did we go to Iran? In January, 2007, Leslie came back from the DC CODEPINK house where there had been talk about an attack on Iran. She was horrified by the thought of the U.S. starting another war. She flew back to California to join me, where I, too, had been hearing reports about U.S. aircraft carriers heading toward Iran. We both thought we were on the verge of yet another war. After watching this video, we decided to go to Iran. We thought, if a two minute video can have such a big affect on us, perhaps we should film our interactions with the Iranian people, then come back here and talk about our experiences. This is what we’ve done and we’re calling it our Journey for Peace with Iran. When we returned to the United States, Senator Lieberman appeared on Face the Nation to encourage the Bush administration to use military force against Iran. Leslie was appalled and tried to make an appointment to talk with him. She went on a 24 day hunger strike and was hospitalized on the 16th day and was arrested in his office on the 22nd day. Lieberman finally consented to meet with her and Ali Nasri of Miles for Peace. Leslie began the Hungry for Justice? Impeach him FAST! in hopes of pressuring the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, to start impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney, who is the driving force behind our government’s plans to attack Iran. Over 450 people across the country fasted in solidarity. When Senator Clinton made her “Obliterate Iran” comment, Leslie fasted again. She wanted Clinton to apologize to the Iranian people and the world. On May 22, Leslie and three other courageous CODEPINK women were arrested at the Petraeus Confirmation Hearing for objecting to his lies about Iranian involvement in Iraq. Before our trip to Iran, Leslie and I were leading reasonably normal lives. I had just graduated from Dominican University and was planning to be an elementary school teacher. Leslie worked in a health food store. When we returned from Iran, we quit our jobs, said good-bye to our sweet home in California’s San Geronimo Valley, put everything into storage, and moved into the CODEPINK house in Washington DC to lobby Congress for peace with Iran. We are currently living with friends in the Bay Area and offering our Peace with Iran presentation. Here’s a review of the presentation we gave in Hawaii. If you would like us to give our presentation to your peace organization, your congregation, or your house party guests, please get in touch. President Ahmadinejad spoke at the United Nations in September and the next day he met with 150 people from 50 different peace groups, an event organized by Fellowship of Reconciliation. Leslie was honored to be a part of this historic event. Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans, Co-founders of CODEPINK, were also there. Leslie and I are hoping to visit Iran with a CODEPINK delegation in May, 2009. While we’re there, we’ll be talking with teachers and students about Friends of Iran, a program we’ve developed to build friendships between American and Iranian students, and their teachers. The best way to prevent a war is to establish friendships between the people. If your daughter/son would like to be introduced to an email pal from Iran, or if you know of a class of students that might enjoy email pals, just contact us and we’ll send you more information. When we return from Iran we will tour the United States and offer an updated version of our Peace with Iran presentation. We will be visiting the schools of the students who have joined our Friends of Iran program, and we’ll also be giving our presentation to adult organizations. Improved relations with Iran can only come from the hearts of Americans, not from the minds of politicians. Leslie and I want to continue to be full time peace activists, if we can. Relatively few people have been to Iran and even fewer still are able to devote much time to promoting peace with Iran. This is what we want to do with our lives. We’re fortunate because our children are grown and our needs are simple, so we now have the time to follow what appears to be our calling. When Americans understand they have nothing to fear from Iranians, the administration will no longer be able to lead us to war. We are doing all we can to promote this understanding. Watch Our Slideshow: PEACE WITH IRAN! Contributions for the Friends of Iran program and our upcoming trip to Iran are gratefully accepted. Click here to donate now, or send your tax-deductible donation (payable to CODEPINK) to 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA 90291. Thank you!

Now Is the Time to Resist Wall Street’s Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/24/naomi_klein_now_is_the_time

Dear Friends,

Leslie has returned to the CodePink House and plans to stay in DC until Congress hits the campaign trail.  She’s there to hold our representatives accountable during these last three weeks of the Congressional session. Click here to see Leslie standing up to Congress (and scroll down to see her photo): http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v23n3/leaderless_counterterrorism_strategy.html

Leslie is particularly concerned about Ackerman and his proposed naval blockade of Iran, H.Con.Res. 362. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JI13Ak01.html.  Last year he was willing to ride a bicycle in Iran to prevent a war.  Now he wants our Navy to inspect the cargo of foreign ships before they enter Iranian waters.  Petroleum is on the embargo list and Iran currently imports 40% of what it needs to meet its energy requirements.  Does Ackerman think Iran will allow this blockade?  How long will it take before this untenable situation provokes an “incident”?  Do you think AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) might have had something to do with his transformation?  Please call him if you oppose this resolution: 202 225-2601.

Leslie has an appointment with Reva Price, an aide in Pelosi’s office, to urge the Speaker of the House to oppose the sale of the 100 bunker busters this administration has recently decided to sell to Israel: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1020702.html.  They “penetrate fortified facilities located deep underground” and it’s reported in The Jerusalem Post, “The bombs would likely be used in the event of an Israeli strike on Iran.”  Congress has thirty days to object.  Please call your Congressional representative (202-224-3121) and ask her/him to oppose this sale.

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Dear Friends,

The world shared America’s grief after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.  Old barriers dividing nations collapsed with a worldwide outpouring of sorrow and compassion.  Americans discovered friends in unlikely places, none more unlikely than Tehran, Iran.  Thousands of Iranians spontaneously lit candles in solidarity with the families of 9/11 and the American people.

Instead of accepting opportunities for global peace and friendship, the Bush Administration used 9/11 as a pretext for sowing the seeds of a “war against terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The world’s offer of good will was squandered.

On September 12, we will reignite the remaining embers of good will by creating an Axis of Friendship.  Iranians, Americans, and people around the world are invited to light a candle for peace and place this candle in their window for the entire day.  Join us in celebrating and honoring the humanity that connects us all.

A Festival of Friendship, including military families and veterans, Iranian-Americans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others in opposition to the bombing of Iran will be gathering on September 12 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza from 3:30-6:30 pm.  We will deliver children’s art, poems and letters to Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders with offices in the Federal Building.  The rally will conclude at the Plaza with a festival of Iranian and American music, food, dancing and poetry.

Similar events are encouraged in Washington DC, Boston, Portland, Seattle, Austin, and other cities around the country and the world … especially in Tehran.  If you are interested in coordinating an event in your city, please reply to this email.  Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our friends in the Bay Area for organizing this celebration .

Peace and Freedom,

Jes & Leslie

Dear Friends,

Leslie has just returned from Washington, DC.  We’re currently staying in a friend’s lovely San Francisco flat overlooking the Castro.  As you may know, when we returned from Iran last year, we left our home behind and traveled to Washington, DC to become full time activists/lobbyists for diplomacy with Iran.  There are times when we miss having a “normal” life, but we also understand how important it is for us to be out there talking about the positive experiences we had in Iran.

Nancy Pelosi is currently on a book signing tour and spoke in DC.  She had appeared on The View earlier in the week and suggested impeachment is off the table because “there is no evidence President Bush has committed any criminal acts.”  CodePink came to the book signing and Gael Murphy handed her pages of impeachable criminal acts.

Leslie shook her hand and introduced herself as a constituent.  Gael interjected,”She’s been fasting because she’s so concerned about H.Con.Res. 362.”  Pelosi looked a little puzzled, and as Gael began to explain, she realized it was about the proposed naval blockade of Iran.  She responded by saying, “If there’s a vote to go to war with Iran, I’ll vote no.”  Leslie asked, “Then why did you vote for $400 million for covert activities [in Iran]?”  Pelosi was taken aback by the direct question and waved her hand to suggest that Leslie should go away.  Security moved in and ushered CodePink out the door.

The next day Leslie spoke with Congressman Ackerman in his office, after a two day sit-in and four days of fasting.  He agreed to talk with her, saying,”This isn’t a pre-condition, but if I meet with you, you have to eat something.”  When they got together, they “broke bread” and Leslie ended her fast.
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Dear Friends,

Leslie flew to Washington DC Wednesday, hoping to talk with Congressman Ackerman.  He’s calling for a naval blockade of Iran through his sponsorship of House Resolution 362 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc110-362.  She met him last year, along with the Iranian bicyclists Miles for Peace, and she wanted to talk with him about withdrawing his resolution, or at the least, to delay the House vote until after Congress returns from its upcoming break.  This morning Leslie got some good news.  Howard Berman, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, has decided not to “mark up” the resolution, which means it’s possible it won’t come up for a vote until next year.  Berman has indicated he has “no intention of moving the bill through his committee unless the language is first altered to ensure that there is no possible way it could be construed as authorizing any type of military action against Iran.”

Iran and the United States were recently involved in a much touted diplomatic effort and instead of negotiating, the United States once again told Iran to stop enrichment or face increased economic sanctions.  Iran has been given two weeks to reply.  This is one of the reasons why Leslie went to DC.  If the House votes in favor of Resolution 362 during this two week period, Iran will most likely react negatively to this Congressional “act of war”.
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Dear Friends,

Leslie and I are back in California and we’ve started our speaking tour to promote peace with Iran.  Our presentation includes a talk on why we went to Iran, what we experienced while we were there, our five months of activism at the DC CodePink House after our return, and more.  Video pieces are included in the presentation.

We will also be talking about Congressman Ackerman’s proposal for a naval blockade of Iran - House Resolution 362 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc110-362.  Ackerman told Leslie and Miles for Peace (Iranian bicyclists) last year that he’d love to go to Iran and get on a bicycle to promote peace.  You can’t help but wonder what this administration (or AIPAC) has promised him in exchange for his new position.  He has switched from being a champion for peace and justice to being an advocate for war.

Call Congressman Ackerman (202-225-2601) and urge him to withdraw the resolution and promote diplomacy, not war.

Ask your Congressperson to Oppose H. Con. Res. 362 here or call her or him today (202-224-3121).

We’ll also be focusing on Nancy Pelosi.  Late last year Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, along with Reid, Rockefeller, Reyes and their Republican counterparts, authorized $400 million to finance covert operations in Iran to destabilize the country’s religious leadership and gather intelligence about its suspected nuclear-weapons program http://www.truthout.org/article/preparing-battlefield.  Earlier in the year Pelosi removed a section of a bill passed by Congress which would have barred the U.S. from going to war with Iran without a congressional vote, claiming she did so at the behest of the leadership of Israel and AIPAC.  Nancy Pelosi is also responsible for keeping impeachment “off the table”.  Vice President Cheney is the driving force for a war with Iran and impeachment hearings could possibly deter him.
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