Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065
iraq@pjw.info
http://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html
CALENDAR LISTING/NEWS ITEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2005
PEACE GATHERING - INAUGURATION DAY AT TERRY SCHRUNK
PLAZA
THURSDAY JAN 20, 2005 8:00 AM-6:30 PM
BRING OREGON'S TROOPS HOME NOW!
Several of Portland's peace groups are planning a peace gathering on
Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20, at Terry Schrunk Plaza at SW 3rd
and Madison, to last from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The event is designed to be
non-partisan, non-violent, and legal. While other events will be taking
place on that day, this space is for peace groups who are calling for
Oregon's troops to come home from the conflict in Iraq.
"We would have held this peace gathering whichever of the major
candidates got elected," said Dan Handelman of the Peace and Justice Works
Iraq Affinity Group. "Both George Bush and John Kerry spoke of 'winning'
the war in Iraq, increasing the number of troops there, and 'hunting down
and killing terrorists.' These are not goals of a peaceful nation."
Recent revelations that the U.S. has called off its search for Weapons of
Mass Destruction should bolster the two dozen or so speakers who will
voice their opposition to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Speakers will include members of Military Families Speak Out, veterans of
the Korean and Vietnam wars, people representing several faith
communities, and a student organizer. Musicians scheduled to sing include
Samusson and Tomassi, Terri Grayum and the Fallen Angels. Specific program
plans
including drumming at 9 AM (when the inauguration begins in Washington, DC
-- community members welcome to join in), and featured speakers and
singers from 11 AM-1 PM and 4:30-6:30 PM. There will be opportunities for
people to sign up to speak, picket signs to hold, and the kickoff of a
campaign to bring Oregon's troops
home.
The event is being cosponsored
by the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group, Northwest Veterans for
Peace, Veterans for Peace Chapter 72, War Resisters League-Portland,
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Woman in Black, Peace
and Social Concerns Committee of the Multnomah Monthly Meeting of Friends
(Quakers) and others, and endorsed by Portland Peaceful Response
Coalition, Oregon PeaceWorks, Vancouver for Peace, and others.
A flyer for the event is at http://www.pjw.info/jan2005announce.html,
along with information on a few other events being organized by other
groups. For more information call 503-236-3065 or email iraq@pjw.info .
Check here for updates, flyers, and other information.