The global 'Women Say NO To War' campaign to end
the war in Iraq had its
official launch on Thursday.
(See press release)
As a first step in the campaign, the 'Womens' Call For Peace' is a
petition that hopes to gather at least 100,000 signatures by March 8,
International Women's Day 2006, when US and Iraqi women will deliver the
signatures to leaders in Washington. All around the world groups of
women will deliver copies of the petition to US embassies. Here in the
UK, the petition will also go to Tony Blair at Downing St.
You can find out more or sign the petition at www.womensaynotowar.org
Supporters from the UK include Caroline Lucas (Green MEP), Hilary
Wainwright (editor of 'Red Pepper') and Maya Evans (the first person to
be convicted under the new SOCPA laws, for reading out the names of
British soldiers killed in the Iraq War).
Even before its official launch on Thursday the petition had over 4000
signatures. Another 4000 have been added since then! This is
amazing
testimony to the strength of feeling of women - and men - around the
world! But this campaign still needs your help. Please sign the
petition and forward the details to others so they can do the same.
[The following text is from the petition]
' We have seen how the foreign occupation of Iraq has fuelled an armed
movement against it, perpetuating an endless cycle of violence. We are
convinced that it is time to shift from a military model to a
conflict-resolution model that includes the following elements:
* The withdrawal of all foreign troops and foreign fighters from Iraq;
* Negotiations to reincorporate disenfranchised Iraqis into all aspects
of Iraqi society;
* The full representation of women in the peacemaking process and a
commitment to women's full equality in the post-war Iraq;
* A commitment to discard plans for any foreign bases in Iraq;
* Iraqi control of its oil and other resources;
* The nullification of privatization and deregulation laws imposed under
occupation, allowing Iraqis to shape the trajectory of the post-war
economy;
* A massive reconstruction effort that prioritizes Iraqi contractors,
and draws upon financial resources of the countries responsible for the
invasion and occupation of Iraq;
* Consideration of a temporary international peacekeeping force that is
truly multilateral and is not composed of any troops from countries that
participated in the occupation.
'To move this peace process forward, we are creating a massive movement
of women - crossing generations, races, ethnicities, religions, borders
and political persuasions. Together, we will pressure our governments,
the United Nations, the Arab League, Nobel Peace Prize winners,
religious leaders and others in the international community to step
forward to help negotiate a political settlement. And in this era of
divisive fundamentalisms, we call upon world leaders to join us in
spreading the fundamental values of love for the human family and for
our precious planet.'
[pasted text ends]
To those of you who've already signed the petition, thank you! To those
of you that haven't signed yet, please join us. Join the mothers, the
sisters, the daughters, the young women and the old. Join the women
from the USA, Australia, Afghanistan, Israel, France, The Philippines,
Holland, Algeria, Switzerland, Japan, Iceland, Lebanon and, of course,
Iraq. Join the men who've signed in solidarity. Join those who've
left
personal comments like, 'worried Mum of four children', 'pissed-off
woman', 'grandmother of Eleanor', 'for humanity', 'man in agreement' ~
and sign up now!
This is not just another petition. This is not just another campaign.
This is a tremendous opportunity for people to work together and to
start to show the world what democracy really looks like.
You can find out more or sign the petition at www.womensaynotowar.org
Thanks to Chrysalis
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