House Votes for War Funding

Today the House passed the supplemental spending bill. Below is CODEPINK’s immediate response. We were in the basement of the Rayburn building (where many reps go to get to the underground tram to the Capitol en route to voting) with bloody hands and shirts saying “If you buy it, you own it” this morning. We had many interesting interactions with reps regarding the funding.

Peace Movement Disappointed With Democrat Funding for War;
Determined to Stop Future Funding and Bring Our Troops Home

Today, the House of Representatives passed the "Iraq Accountability Act" giving the President an additional $100 billion to continue the US occupation and associated military operations in Iraq. While this binding measure establishes a deadline for the removal of most combat troops by August 31, 2008, the conditions set forth in the bill fall far short of where Congress should be on their path to bringing the troops home. CODEPINK believes that not one more dollar should be appropriated for continued war and occupation, and will continue to push the position that Congress should only fund the safe, orderly and rapid withdrawal of all troops by the end of this year.

CODEPINK will continue to demand that Congress be accountable to the American people’s clarion call last November 7 to end to the war. Despite many expert opinions that say that the US priority in Iraq must be to support political and diplomatic solutions rather than military operations, and yet we are still burdened with an exclusively military strategy and additional funding for war and occupation.

Members of Congress who voted for the supplemental bill see it as the first small step toward the major policy shift we seek. The work of the peace movement, and particularly that of CODEPINK, has been instrumental in moving us closer to our goal to end the war. Speaker Pelosi, talking to the Democratic Caucus on the eve of the vote, mentioned the pressure she herself was getting from CODEPINK camping out on her doorstep! Congress has moved this far only because of public pressure, and to reach further, public pressure must and will continue. CODEPINK will now push for the best supplemental bill possible out of the Senate, the best bill possible out of Conference, and the best bill possible from the Defense Authorization that will be coming up in April. CODEPINK continues to fight for better funding legislation that will finally and completely end the US military presence in Iraq.

Meet with your Congresspeople during the Congressional Recess April 2-16!

Four Activists Arrested at Pelosi's

Activists say “if Pelosi buys the war, she owns the war”

As the house began to debate the $100 billion Supplemental Bill on the floor of the Capitol this afternoon, four CODEPINKers were arrested taking over Speaker Pelosi’s office. As they held up images of the American soldiers killed this month in Iraq and chanted “stop funding the war,” police moved in and arrested four CODEPINK representatives: Eve Tetaz from DC, Desiree Fairooz from Arlington, Texas, Janine Bonaparte from Marin, CA, and David Barrows also from DC.

In her statement Medea Benjamin said: “If Pelosi—who was given a mandate for peace in the November election—buys this war, she owns this war. And what she owns is 3228 American soldiers killed, and those soldiers, those sons who will be killed as the war rages on.”

During the action at Pelosi's office, we held up banners that read "Pelosi, be a leader for peace" and "Pelosi, Don't Buy Bush's War". We also had a large banner with a donkey that said "Pin the War on the Donkey" and tails reading "War" "Torture" "War Profiteering" and more.

At one point, while we were speaking with the abundant crowd of reporters, we held up photos of soldiers who have been killed in the war, attached with a string. A police officer immediately snatched the photos and said they were a banner and not allowed in. We said that these were not a banner, these were the faces of the dead. Even the press looked horrified and snapped some photos of the ordeal. After putting away the pictures, we took out a newspaper with the faces of the dead printed in color and held it up. And we started crying. Not fake wailing. Not shouting. Just crying. Tears and tears and we couldn't help it, and I couldn't help it. And instead of reporters asking "Why are you here protesting?" or "What are you doing here today?" they asked me "Why are you crying?" And this is what I said:

I am crying because the Democrats' support of another $100 billion for the war means that thousands more kids my age will be killed--kid soldiers and Iraqi kids. Pelosi's support of Bush's request for money for war is a death sentence for thousands of kids. After weeks of cute, colorful, passionate actions in the halls of Congress, from caroling with the choir to valentine delivery to dog bones for Blue Dogs to pink aprons and brooms cleaning House, today was an action of a different tenor. I felt like the floodgates had come down and the halls of Congress were gushing with a bloody river. Maybe it sounds dramatic. But it felt like we were drowning in tears, in pain, in the realization of something very, very wrong. And the tragic part was that the two secretaries in Pelosi's office sat there chuckling and picking up phones, and the press liaison came out and answered reporter's questions with a blank face. My heart was pounding so loudly that I wondered why it didn't just crack the walls of the marble building. Those walls felt more sturdy and guarded than usual. How have our Democratic leaders become so enchanted by the Republican language? Pelosi has helped them back into a corner where Bush will emerge victorious. And the tragic thing is that they will tout this as a victory if it passes tomorrow.

I visited Anna Eshoo's office after the action, and her press secretary tried to explain to me why Anna is going to vote for this supplemental. He gave me the analogy of a football game, where one must work strategically one play at a time to get the ball up the field to the goal. Here's why I think that's a bogus comparison: The compromise that Pelosi and the Dems are voting for is not one step towards peace; it is one step towards prolonging violence and destruction, and killing innocent lives for nothing. The press liaison listened patiently to my opinion, and then told me that we have the same goal, just different tactics. But I am quite certain now that we don't have the same goal. The Democrats want to win. I want to see the killing stop. I want to welcome our soldiers home with open arms and fully equipped medical services. I want to see justice done to the administration. The Democrats, well, they want to win--this vote, the election in '08, the power. If Pelosi would have just come out and said, "Look, I know that this bill (or ammendment like Lee's) may fail, but I am going to take this stand because I believe in the courage of my convictions, because I am more committed to the will of my constituents and the integrity of justice." But we'll never get to find out what Dems would have done if the supplemental had been straight with Bush's desires. And now it's a mess.

Today there is a deep sorrow. Tomorrow there is a vote. Then, we will keep on working for peace...

Church of Stop Shopping goes to Congress!

Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping joined CODEPINK in the halls and offices of the House and Senate buildings today! We had a lively revival preaching and singing to Congress to stop shopping for war. Highlights included caroling in front of Gore's press conference after his hearing on climate change in the House, at Hillary's office, and at Reid's office. We also visited Feingold's office, where Billy talked about being an alumn from UW, and sang a thank you song to the legislative aides, for the great work the office is doing to bring our troops home. We also sang outside Obama's.

Here are some great photos from the day:

The Church of Stop Shopping performs in front of the Supreme Court en route to the Senate.

Preachin' in Reid's office.

The Choir exits Rayburn House building with a song.

Singing in the Cannon building rotunda.
Photos by Rae. Top photo of Rev. Billy by Liz.

Disrupting Hill and Bill Fundraiser

Tonight we were inside and outside Hillary's $1,000 a plate fundraising dinner at the Marriott hotel in Woodley Park, the very same hotel where George W had his Black Tie and Boots inaugural ball in January, 2005, where we were inside disrupting as well! The speech and the applause by the audience was altogether disgusting. Hillary, why can't you put your money where your mouth is and take action NOW to end the Iraq war, not if elected president!

Here's Midge Potts and Patricia Foulkrod interviewed by Liz Kimmerly about the Hillary protest, and some footage from the inside action:



Want to know more about the Listen Hillary birddogging campaign and how YOU can get involved? Check out www.listenhillary.org!

4 Years of War: Staged Occupation and Blue Dogs

Today we mourn 4 years since the US invaded Iraq. We met up with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) at Union Station where they staged a street theater occupation of the city, grabbing (planted) civilians and taking them hostage. It was a jolting action to witness. But the reality is that these soldiers have done it in Iraq, and violent hold ups are the norm in many cities in this country.

We attended the 4th anniversary press conference that Military Families Speak Out and IVAW held outside the Cannon House of Reps building, and held our Don't Buy Bush's War banners up for all to see. We paraded our shopping carts full of war objects, and sung "Can't Buy Me War." We tried to take those carts inside, but security just wouldn't have it.

We went into Congress and visited the offices of the Blue Dog Democrats who are campaigning to reduce the national debt. Each blue dog has a big poster mounted on an easel outside his/her office with the national debt and the taxpayer's individual share of the debt (about $30,000 currently). We carried in the poster, asked to speak with the chief of staff, and sang a little song for them (to the tune of "This Old Man"):

These Blue Dogs, they're upset,
They don't want a bigger debt.
So CODEPINK is here to give this dog a bone;
Stop funding war; bring our troops home!

At the end of the song we held out milkbones with stop funding messages written on in perm. marker, and tied with a pink ribbon. Each blue dog rep we visited received a bone and the jingle with applause and appreciation, thus proving that speaking the language of the targeted audience is a surefire way to get the point across! Who knew that these blue dogs loved pink?

We went to a MoveOn 4th Anniversary candle light vigil in the evening and brought our stop funding war message there. To read more about MoveOn and the critical eye the anti-war movement is casting their way, click here. Check out this great photo of Barbara and her MoveOn t-shirt:

In the evening there was an anti-war art event at Bus Boys and Poets. May art prevail over war!

Blue Dog Video

Check out our singing action in Blue Dogs' offices:

ANSWER March to the Pentagon

Today we marched about two miles to the Pentagon with a coalition of anti-war groups led by ANSWER. It was a chilly day that turned to snow by the end. Our CODEPINK contingent marched from our women's convergence spot through a gauntlet of counter-protesters who chanted "USA" and told us we were unAmerican, traitors, lesbians, etc. I didn't find them very intimidating--they looked fearful and angry, and we were calm and peaceful, singing over and over "All we are saying is give peace a chance!" We were so joyously pink and feminine, it felt very safe to walk down the streets. Still, the counter-protesters were agresive and though I can respect their right to demonstrate, just as we can, in permitted locations, they attempted to block us on the sidewalk. The police had to intervene to ensure that we were able to walk down the street. The one shout I still can't figure out is "our soldiers are over there protecting your rights to freedom." First of all, if they're protecting our rights to free speech, then why not let us use those rights? Secondly, the war in Iraq is making us less safe at home. And last, why not ask the soldiers what they think they're over there for--many of them honestly say it's for the oil, and aren't duped by Bush's rhetoric.

CODEPINK marches through an angry crowd of counter-protesters.
Thanks to Isis and Liz for the photos in this post.

After the march when we returned to our cars, we found that one CODEPINKer's car had 2 tires slashed. Now you tell me, what's so peaceful and non-disruptive about that? I can't believe that these counter-protesters would stoop to such low and violent reactions... but I must believe it, as I spent several hours waiting for the tow truck. This nasty, cruel behavior seems to be all to symptomatic of those who believe in the war, believe in violence and military solutions as the only way to solve problems.

After being out in the cold all day, we returned home to hot soup and good company. Another day, another march for peace. Are they listening?

MUST SEE: CODEPINK Disruptions and Midge Stands Up at Valerie Plame Trial

Check out this CNN clip with fearless pink Midge standing up with her "Impeach Bush" shirt on, and an exclusive report on CODEPINK's presence in hearings and events throughout the past year:



Go Midge! The word about CODEPINK's presence in Congressional hearings spread throughout the media rapidly after this act. Why do we feel the need to add our presence to the demos? If Congress won't speak up, then we the people will!

Appropriations Committe Buys War ~ Day 4

Today we showed up at 7 am to wait in line to get into the House Appropriations Committee meeting to mark u the Supplemental bill. We waited for hours and when staffers, press, and Congresspeople went in, the police continued to keep us out. Though the hearing was supposed to be open to the public, no one (except a class of schoolchildren) was permitted inside. Activists were outraged at being locked out and when they questioned the cops and started shouting "Let the People In!", the cops began clearing the hallway. Gael was swept up, thrown to the ground, and arrested unexpectedly and without good reason. Check out the video of the scene here:


I waited on line patiently with another activist and a man from the American Legion for a couple more hours. I used my time in line to talk with Congresspeople when they left to attend a vote in the Capitol, and when they returned. I escorted reps to and from the elevator, reminding them of the importance of stopping the funding for Bush's war.

Finally, we were let into the room. The meeting was fascinating! At one point, Chairman Obey couldn't discern whether Murtha was proposing an amendment to the bill or an amendment to an amendment.

When the conversation turned to a discussion of the ammendments that would finance "emergency" domestic issues (like spinach farmers and hurricane relief), I could not resist standing up to offer an ammendment. I said that I would like to offer an amendment from the majority of the American people who want the troops home, that Congress not buy Bush's war, and fund domestic services instead. Fund education and healthcare, not occupation and warfare! It's simple: just don't buy Bush's war. Some people moaned and sighed, and I wish I had ore directly spoke to their resistance to hear from the public. If our reps aren't going to represent us, then we must speak up; we cannot remain silent. It's not like I want to be sitting in a windowless room all day listening to predominately old, white men make ammendments to ammendments. The point is that I feel a moral obligation to say something in light of the future death and destruction that the $100 billion will cause. Chairman Obey told me very respectfully to sit down. My fellow activista held up a pink sign. At the closing of the meeting, we stood on our chairs and sang "Can't Buy Me War" to Congress as they were filing out. Our singing made it onto CSPAN and CNN. I'm hoping it made it into a Congressperson or staffer's head too, and the chorus got wedged in there somewhere between power wielding and conscience.

Don't Buy It ~ Day 3

Today we did a sister occupation of Pelosi's office in the Cannon Building. We were on speaker phone with the activists who were in her office in San Francisco. Medea, Nancy, and I met with Pelosi's chief of staff and presented her with our questions and concerns about Pelosi's supplemental bill, namely:
* What's the logic behind the seemingly backward idea that we'd start pulling our troops out sooner if the Iraqis are failing (not meeting benchmarks) than if they are succeeding?
* Why would we ever want to trust Bush with assessing and reporting on the status of the benchmarks when he's lied so many times before?
* How many troops would be impacted in the loophole of maintaining a troop presence to capture and kill Al Qaeda terrorists, protect US embassies and American citizens, and other stipulations?

Pelosi's chief of staff promised to report these questions to Mike Sheehey, the main foreign affairs staffer, and give Medea a call with the answers, since she apparently couldn't provide ANY answers or clarification. At the end of the meeting she reassured us that "We share the same goals, but have different tactics." I have already heard this several times from Dan and Melanie in Pelosi's SF office. Here's what I want to tell Nancy Pelosi: If you're not taking action to bring our troops home, then you don't share the same goal, you only mirror our goal in your rhetoric. If you won't redefine the debate to say that defunding the war IS supporting our troops, then you don't share the same goal: to stop bowing to the Republican agenda and speak truth to power. If you can't lead us out of war by cutting the funding, then your goal is the same as Bush's goal: remain in Iraq. I am still hopeful that Nancy Pelosi will recognize that indeed the only surefire tactic that Congress has towards the goal of ending the Iraq occupation and bringing our troops home IS to cut the funding.

This evening we made banners for our actions in the days ahead, and continued building our DC house!

Don't Buy Bush's War ~ Day 2

Today we visited Nancy Pelosi's Congressional office dressed as personal shoppers, and told the Speaker that war is not fashionable and doesn't suit her. We sung "Can't Buy Me War" and spoke with the chief of staff. We sang through the halls of Congress, and greeted Congressmembers as they went through security en route to the Capitol in the subway of Congress. Check out an excerpt of our great press release from our action this morning:

“Speaker Pelosi, Bush’s War Will Look Terrible on You! Don’t Buy It!”

Pelosi’s Self-appointed Personal Shoppers (PSPS) arrive in Speaker Pelosi’s Cannon Office to advise her that she looks SO MUCH better sporting healthcare, education and fully-funded domestic programs, not war and occupation!

WHEN: 11:00am, Tuesday, March 13th
WHERE: 235 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC
WHAT: A Style Consultation on a Path to Peace.

“We're hopeful,” says Gael Murphy, “that Speaker Pelosi’s intuitive sense of style and justice will prevail over Bush’s poorly designed and completely outmoded ready-to-war Supplemental that will allow this conflict to drag on for years, wreaking havoc that will spread throughout the Middle East. The mark-up is criminal and there are no returns! Pelosi’s elegant style of leadership is much better suited for this “season-of-ending-war-in-2007,” and she would look simply fabulous in a fully-funded, safe and orderly withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.

We offer her heartfelt gift-certificates, redeemable for all the marvelous domestic programs that are a much better bargain for the American people, such as healthcare, affordable housing, schools, scholarships, public safety and renewable energy. All this and more will be available for the smart shopper at 11:00 am March 13th in Speaker Pelosi’s office.
For more information visit www.dontbuybushswar.org

CODEPINK sings through the halls of Congress.

Stop Funding War ~ Day 1

I flew into DC a little after sunrise this morning and took a cab (with a driver who was so supportive of our work), and arrived at the new CODEPINK house, near Union Station and the Senate buildings. The house is a narrow brick building with lovely crown moulding, hard wood floors, and three stories of bedrooms and meeting space. When I arrived there was soft yellow sunlight streaming in through the windows, illuminating the air mattresses and suitcases sparsely spread out in the rooms. The house is new to us and so we must find furnishings to build a "peace room" and outfit ourselves to host visiting activists for the coming months. We're searching for frying pans, beds, chairs, book shelves, spatulas, and peace. We're looking for passionate activists, heroic Congresswomen, and bold actions. We're gathering forks, rugs, banners, and organizational allies. And we're hungry for homecooked meals, homemade posters, homegrown movements, and homewon justice.

I spent the day driving around gathering free furniture with Joan, an incredible DC pink activista, strategizing about actions for the coming days, and connecting with activists coming to join us in DC! By late evening, we have colored the house pink with banners and photos of our past actions, planned out our actions for the week, and written a hilarious press release. And tomorrow, the actions begin (or continue, after almost 4 years of illegal occupation of Iraq, and over 4 years of CODEPINK actions to stop war and bring about peace). Check back for more DC updates!

Check out our new website about defunding war:

www.dontbuybushswar.org

International Women's Day Interview

Check out an interview I did for blogher.com about my work with CODEPINK at:
http://blogher.org/node/16532

The evening of International Women's Day the Women of Color Resource Center organized Speaking Fierce ~ an evening of dance, music, hip hop, and the powerful voices of Iraq war veterans Eli Painted Crow and Anu Baghawati. It was an incredible night celebrating women's courage to speak out around militarism.

Teach-Ins at Pelosi's

We are organizing weekly teach-ins at Cong. Nancy Pelosi's office at the Federal Building in San Francisco. Our first teach-in focused on legislation to cut funding and bring our troops home, namely HR 508. Here's an action report back:

About 15 peace activists entered Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office at about 12:30 in the afternoon. We were met by a staffer who invited us into Nancy’s office (we didn’t have an appointment but they “knew we were coming”) where we met with Deputy District Director Melanie Nutter for about 45 minutes. Broken heart valentines, shoes tagged with the name of an Iraqi child, and large heart posters from our previous actions were in the office on display. We offered Melanie some excellent reasons for defunding the war and reframing the debate about funding. Melanie listened attentively, took notes, and reaffirmed that Nancy Pelosi has no intention to defund the war. After Dan Bernal told us to leave the office as they had another meeting scheduled, and we very slowly exited, we continued our teach-in in the hallway outside the office. We read the text of HR 508 and role played how to respond to criticisms of defunding and troop withdrawal. We had a debrief meeting in the cafeteria afterwards.

The evening of our action, the SF Democratic Committee (DCCC) held a meeting and voted to de-fund the war!! Melanie Nutter (Pelosi's Aide who we met with us) voted for the resolution to de-fund the war, and she is an elected member of the DCCC. Dan Bernal (Pelosi's representative to the SF DCCC) voted against it. We are writing Melanie emails and calling her to recognize her important vote and tell her we hope her boss will follow her leadership! Our teach-in was effective to educate ourselves, and Pelosi's staff!

Our next teach-in focused on how funding the war does NOT support the troops. We read articles about the lack of healthcare funding for veterans and had an over two hour discussion with Dan Bernal, who had arranged for us to meet with him in a larger conference room. At the end of the meeting we asked for clarification (a written statement) regarding the ongoing assertion that funding the war is supporting the troops, and a meeting with Pelosi herself during the Congressional recess. We closed with singing "Can't Buy Me War" together, led by Steven on vocals and guitar.

On the following weekend, Bay Area activists started an encampment outside Pelosi's house! Read about it in the New York Times article at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/washington/13pelosi.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Can't Buy Me War

Check out this new rendition I wrote of the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love":

Can’t Buy Me War

Can't buy me war, war
Can't buy me war

Bush wants billions more for war to keep up the bloody fight
Bush wants billions more for war but we know that it’s not right!
'Cause I voted for you Pelosi, Pelosi can't buy me war

Our schools are broke, our parks are bare, and we need insurance too,
Our hearts are broke, our soldiers killed, and we’re all counting on you
I voted for you Pelosi, Pelosi can't buy me war

Can't buy me war, everybody knows it’s so
Can't buy me war, no no no, no

Say you aren’t going to fund the war and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want diplomacy which bombing just can't buy
I voted for you Pelosi, Pelosi can't buy me war

Can't buy me war, war
Can't buy me war... no!

Hear the song sung and performed by musician Steven Wynbrandt here:
http://www.codepinkalert.org/downloads/Cant_Buy_Me_War.m4a

CODEPINK interrupts Hillary’s fundraiser… again

This past Friday, February 23, Senator Hillary Clinton held a fundraiser in San Francisco at the Sheraton Palace Hotel. San Franciscans who have spoken out against the war repeatedly gathered outside the hotel for a rally and press conference, urging the New York senator and presidential would-be to put action behind her words and end the Iraq war. About thirty demonstrators outside the hotel handed out flyers that read, “Hillary Stop Funding War” and encouraged funders entering the event to ask Hillary hard-hitting questions about her stance on the war.

Meanwhile, five activists made their way into the private donors-only event. Two hotel guests found their way to seats in the audience, while three of us took on a new creative tact. Dressed in chef’s white coats with nametags and (mock) Hillary campaign badges, we entered the event, and when Hillary began her talk, we unfurled large hot pink banners that read “Hillary Stop Funding War” and “We Need a Peace President.” Two of us were positioned behind Hillary, which made for some excellent photos. A third was stage right, making it appear as though there was a sea of pink popping up around the room. The security people were slow to respond to us and finally took our banners and escorted us out.

On my way out I stated very loudly and passionately, “Hillary please stop funding the war!” As I was shouting, a woman clocked me in the chin and hooked her fingers into my mouth, grabbing at my jaw as if to yank it off. I felt like I was being bridled. Stunned, I didn’t speak up to demand that she be identified and held by the police. I was amazed that here in America supporters of a presidential candidate could so easily assault someone with an opinion they don’t approve of, and a Democrat no less.

I faced a similar response at a Hillary engagement with the BAR Association in San Francisco about a year ago—after holding up a banner, I was chocked by the security official, and the audience members sitting within inches of me did nothing to help me. The anger and aggression with which people react to our actions still astounds me. It makes those with contrary political opinions appear tenuous at best. After we were taken out of the event, we were detained in a small room for the remainder of the event, cited for “disrupting a meeting,” and released.

My interaction with the SFPD was pretty calm and respectable, but not all the protesters had such a smooth experience. At the start of the event, fundraiser host Susie Buell commented that she’s eager to see change in this country, and when she and another host asked if the room was ready for a woman president, the crowd applauded enthusiastically.

I wanted to applaud too. I was raised with the idea that I could grow up to be anything I wanted to be, and that women could now choose their professions freely. “We don’t have to serve the boss coffee these days, so honey you be strong and burst through that glass ceiling” was my mom’s refrain. I decided I would blast through the gender barriers in a space shuttle as an astronaut, or stomp them out while tromping through the jungle doing scientific research. So understandably, just like most gals my age, I get psyched about the idea of a woman president. But I want to see a president with values, and being a woman just isn’t enough to buy my vote. I want to vote for a peace candidate, someone who is unafraid to take leadership to bring us out of Iraq, and speaks out against any future aggression towards Iran.

Right now Hillary has the worst position on Iraq of any of the Democratic presidential candidates. Her latest call for a phased withdrawal with no end date is totally inadequate. Hillary’s new legislation puts a cap on troop levels, while units are already being deployed to Iraq—the cow’s out of the barn on that one—and her proposal threatens to cut off funding to the Iraqis if their government doesn’t meet certain standards in six months—talk about blaming the victim! Hillary said at the fundraiser on Friday, as if responding to our earlier disruption, “Yes, we do have to end the war in Iraq, and we have to do it as soon as we possibly can!” Hillary, if this is what you believe in your heart, then don’t wait to be president to do something—act now to bring our servicemen and women home and secure a better tomorrow for Iraq!

There may come a day when disrupting Hillary feels like shouting at a brick wall, or George Bush. But for now, when Hillary is still using the verb “listening” and is vulnerably vying for the presidential nomination, I am still hopeful. And I’m hopeful that Americans will keep pressuring the candidates to stand up for peace, especially those who have the purse power to make or break their campaigns. The bottom line to wealthy Democrats is this: until Hillary takes action in the Senate to responsibly end the Iraq occupation, funding Hillary is funding war.

For more info about the Listen Hillary campaign, visit www.listenhillary.org

To see more photos and stories about this action, click here to visit this blog on the Listen Hillary site.