FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Jean Stevens, CODEPINK, 508-769-2138,
Iris Bieri, American Friends Service Committee, 212- 598-0958


Hundreds of children's shoes create stunning memorial of Iraqi children dead through war

WHAT: "Walk in Their Shoes" display of hundreds of children's shoes labeled with names of Iraqi children killed through U.S. occupation
WHEN: 12 to 1:30 p.m., July 31
WHERE: Foley Square, at Pearl and Centre Streets

NEW YORK -- A small manila card, tied to a tiny pair of dirty white shoes, reads "Son of woman killed in Al-Dawr. Age six months."
These shoes and hundreds of others, representing the children killed through the U.S. occupation of Iraq, will form a dramatic display "Walk In Their Shoes" at 12 p.m. July 24 in Foley Square.
The New York City chapter of CODEPINK Women For Peace and the American Friends Service Committee have teamed up to present the event, a visual representation of the human costs of the war to Iraqi civilians.
"The display of children shoes is a visual representation of human loss," said Dana Balicki, CODEPINK national campaign coordinator. "It highlights the staggering costs and immense suffering this war has inflicted on the Iraqi people."
About one million Iraqis have been killed since the U.S. occupation began. About 4,000 American soldiers have been killed and more than 30,000 seriously wounded.
CODEPINK hopes this display will illustrate to politicians and Americans the immense devastation of this war, the tragedy of human loss and help convince them to vote against any extended action in the war and to avoid future wars through diplomacy. The nonprofit group has presented this memorial to more than 20 cities around the country. Thousands of people, including hundreds of delegates, will see the display next month at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
"The aftermath of war in Iraq," said Paul Lacey, presiding clerk of AFSC, "where thousands upon thousands may die or spend the rest of their lives in pain and wretchedness, will be greater unrest in the Middle East and hatred of America for generations to come."
Local members of the Granny Peace Brigade, an activist group of women including mothers and grandmothers ages 59 to 91 opposed to the Iraq war, will also be on hand with a Congressional "phoneathon" urging passersby to call their members of Congress and urge them to promote diplomacy, not war, with Iran.
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For interviews, photos, video and more information, contact Jean Stevens, National Media Coordinator at (508) 769-2138 or Jean@codepinkalert.org.


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CODEPINK, founded in 2002, is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into health care, education and other life-affirming activities. We reject the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead call for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence. Codepinkalert.org.