War is Not a Game and Our Soldiers Are Not Toys!
Women’s Peace Group Calls
for the Return of Troops Through Viral Internet Campaign To give
voice to the majority of American’s desire to end the Iraq war,
women’s peace group CODEPINK launched a new PSA called “Toy Soldier” on Friday
April 6, aimed at truly supporting the troops by calling for Bush and Congress
to bring them home by the holidays. (See www.youtube.com/dontbuybushswar
to view “Toy Soldier”) As a first step, CODEPINK and the Don’t Buy Bush’s War
Campaign has been in the Halls of Congress everyday, in Representatives’
offices around the country and camping outside of Nancy Pelosi’s homes on both
coasts with the message of support the troops by stopping war funding. This
dynamic group of peace activists was with peace mom Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, Texas
over the weekend and continues to drive home the message that the very best thing we can do to support the troops is
bring them home as quickly as possible.
“Toy
Soldier” is produced, directed, and edited by Chris Newberry of Free Country Media, a production company with
offices in New York City and Minneapolis (www.freecountrymedia.com)
and produced and written by Andrew Slack, a member of The Late Night Players, America’s most
widely touring sketch group (www.latenightplayers.com).
“Toy Soldier” is the latest in grassroots’ viral internet campaigning-
effectively reaching thousands of viewers everyday, and was already named in
PoliticsTV’s top ten of the week (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIyzwoX_E7o).
President
Bush is trying to accuse Democrats of not supporting
the troops by setting a timetable for them to leave Iraq. CODEPINK cofounder, Jodie
Evans stated, “How can Bush say he's supporting the troops when he's
continually sending them into harm's way? When he's forcing them to sustain
such a misguided occupation? Bush has used our troops as his toy soldiers long
enough.”
The
majority of people in the US,
the UK and around the world
oppose the Iraq war, which
has thus far cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis; 3,282 US troops; and hundreds of UK troops and humanitarian
workers. The soldiers that are returning home are having a very difficult time
getting the financial, medical and mental healthcare they need and are many are
being called back to serve in Iraq without sufficient care. CODEPINK has worked
extensively with active and non-active military, conscientious objectors, war
resisters and military family members since the beginning of occupation of Iraq.
To view “Toy Soldier” as well as various other CODEPINK actions, visit www.youtube.com/dontbuybushswar
or to schedule an interview with one of CODEPINK’s dynamic leaders, Medea
Benjamin or Jodie Evans, please contact Dana Balicki at (202) 422-8624 or dana@codepinkalert.org.
###
| 
