My concern for the Israeli-Arab conflict is a personal one. I was raised in a Jewish neighborhood -- three synagogues within three blocks of our home in Springfield, Mass. -- which sensitized me to Jewish culture and history. As a young student of world affairs, I closely followed the history of the Holocaust and Israel's birth in Palestine.
On the other hand, I also had a close boyhood friend whose family had roots in Syria and Lebanon; they exposed me to the local Lebanese community. The Middle East conflict was part of my global political awakening[...]
We had a spirited anti-war rally in DC today marking the 8th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. CODEPINK had a "pre-rally" rally, with terrific speakers and singers. The speakers included Terry O'Neill, the president of the National Organization for Women; our wonderful Ret. Col. Ann Wright, Carrie Biggs-Adams from the Communications Workers; Empower DC activist Linda Leaks, OneDC housing activist Virginia Lee and visionary activist Caroline Casey. We are also graced by the unbelievably beautiful singing group SongRise. Then we went to the White House to do a photo up with umbrellas that spelled out BRING OUR WAR $$ HOME. Check out some of our photos.
Our "pre-rally" was followed by a great rally organized by Veterans for Peace, with speakers that included Ralph Nader, Daniel Ellsberg and Chris Hedges and reps from Iraq Veterans Against the War and Military Families Speak Out. The Vets then led us on a march down the streets of DC and up to the White House. By the time we marched, there were about 2,000 people. It was very solemn and moving, with a clear message of Stop these Wars, Expose the Lies, Free Bradley Manning. Throughout the day, CODEPINK circulated sign-ups asking people to join us in getting "Bring Our War $$ Home" resolutions passed in their cities, churches, schools, unions, etc.
At 2pm, 113 people engaged in civil disobedience, refusing to leave the area in front of the White House. Among those arrested were Daniel Ellsberg, Ann Wright, Chris Hedges and many CODEPINKers, including Joan Stallard, Nancy Mancias, Janine Bonaparte, Ridgely Fuller, Leslie Harris, Diane Baker, Bev Harris, Lisa Savage, Mark Roman, Jennifer Humiston and Katherine Weathers. They were held for several hours, then released after paying a $100 fine or agreeing to return for a future court date. We thank them for their act of conscience.
After several canceled flights, I am finally on my way to Egypt to join my CODEPINK colleagues who are already there. We were supposed to be leading a delegation to Gaza right now, traveling through the Sinai to get to Gaza's southern border. The Rafa crossing into Gaza has been closed, our delegation is unable to leave Cairo, and we have been caught up in the breath-taking people's movement that is sweeping Egypt. CODEPINK’s Tighe Barry has been out on the streets of Cairo all week long. You can hear a compelling report from him here.
At 1 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2, I was speaking to one of the thousands of protesters planning to spend the night in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. “I hope you’ll get at least a few hours sleep,” I said, as we parted. “We don’t need to sleep,” he smiled. “We have been sleeping for 30 years.”
Check out these video highlights from Free Speech TV's coverage of the historic One Nation Working Together March on Saturday, October 2nd. Organizers estimate that over 175,000 people attended the rally and march. Below is video of Thom Hartmann and Rosa Clemente's live interview with Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK: Women for Peace.
This interview aired live to 35 million households on Free Speech TV via DIRECTV channel 248, DISH Network channel 9415, and streamed on freespeech.org to thousands of online viewers.
If you're feeling skeptical after hearing President Obama's latest speech on the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, you're not alone. It's hard to know what to make of a President and an administration that brings over 90,000 troops homewhile ordering 50,000 soldiers along with 75,000 military contractors to remain. There are still some 150,000 personnel in Iraq and the US is supposed to be completely out of the country by 2011. That's next year. Bringing home thousands by the end of this August is a good step, but we really need to step on it. Unfortunately, the State Department is dragging its heels as much as the Pentagon and wants to hire 6,000 - 7,000 more staff and train them like soldiers. While working under the auspices of the State Department, these new personnel would have the status of “diplomats.” But who ever heard of a diplomat trained like a soldier and armed with a gun?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
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