EPI Supports a New Effort to
End the War ~
The Iraq Initiatives Project
LET THE AMERICANS AND THE IRAQIS VOTE DIRECTLY ON ENDING THE WAR
The Iraq Initiatives Project, which is sponsored by the Ecumenical Peace
Institute, is an effort to encourage the idea of Americans and Iraqis voting
directly on ending the war. Six out of ten Americans believe that all U.S. troops
should come home from Iraq within one year. Yet the war has not been stopped.
Electing a pro-peace majority in Congress and a pro-peace president is necessary
to end the war but it is not sufficient. In addition, voters in the United States
and in Iraq can have a direct say on withdrawal, through ballot measures in
the United States calling for a one-year withdrawal of all U.S. troops as well
as a national referendum in Iraq on the U.S. occupation. The suggested text
of the ballot measure includes: U.S. troops and bases shall be withdrawn from
Iraq no later than November 4, 2009; funds spent on the war will be used instead
to care for veterans, help reconstruct Iraq, and provide funding for unmet needs
here at home; and the U.S. government will support a national referendum in
Iraq on whether the U.S. occupation should be ended.
Measures against the war can be placed on ballots in the November election in
as many as twenty-seven states, as well as in many cities and counties. These
ballot measures would be put on by state legislatures, city councils, and county
boards of supervisors. Unlike initiatives, no petition signatures would be required,
only lobbying of elected officials. In California, for instance, if all the
cities and counties that have already opposed the war were simply to put this
measure on the ballot, 25 percent of Californians would have a chance to vote
for withdrawal.
We also can support the Iraqi people in voting in a national referendum there
to end the U.S. occupation. With at least two thirds of Iraqis wanting all U.S.
troops withdrawn within a year or less, Iraqis will vote to end the occupation.
A U.S. withdrawal from Iraq in response to such a democratic vote will be a
major step toward peace and reconciliation in Iraq. By providing a democratic
alternative to violence, it will greatly reduce support for terrorist groups
and the threat of terrorism against the United States. If widespread anti-war
ballot measures are approved in the United States, and the Iraqi people support
withdrawal in a national referendum there, this will be the first time that
the people of an occupied country and the people of the occupying power will
have voted together to end a war.
For a brief introduction to the campaign: Summary
of the Campaign (Microsoft Word) Summary
of the Campaign (rich text format)
Summary of the Campaign (pdf format)
For a more detailed overview: Introduction
to the Campaign (Microsoft Word) Introduction
to the Campaign (rich text format)
Introduction to the Campaign (pdf
format)
For the reasons for the ballot language: Explanation
of Ballot Measure Text (Microsoft Word) Explanation
of Ballot Measure Text (rich text format)
Explanation of Ballot Measure Text
(pdf format)
For a detailed list and discussion of ballot measure possibilities in every
state, along with local possibilities:
State and
Local Ballot Measure Possibilities (Microsoft Word) State
and Local Ballot Measure Possibilities (rich text format)
State and Local Ballot
Measure Possibilities (pdf format)
For ways ballot measures could help elect pro-peace candidates and defeat pro-war
candidates:
Potential Impact of Antiwar Ballot Measures on the Election (Microsoft Word)
Potential
Impact of Antiwar Ballot Measures on the Election (rich text format)
Potential
Impact of Antiwar Ballot Measures on the Election (pdf format)
For an explanation of a national referendum in Iraq on the U.S. occupation,
in particular what Congress can do to support a referendum:
Let the Iraqi People Vote on the Occupation (Microsoft Word) Let
the Iraqi People Vote on the Occupation (rich text format)
Let the Iraqi People Vote
on the Occupation (pdf format)
For a strategy of placing antiwar measures on the ballot in California counties
and cities, along with information on the costs to the war to the state:
California Ballot Measure Pamphlet (Microsoft Word) California
Ballot Measure Pamphlet (rich text format) California
Ballot Measure Pamphlet (pdf format)
For general information, a tri-fold brochure to share with others: IIP
Tri-fold brochure (Microsoft Word) IIP
Tri-fold brochure (rich text format)
IIP Tri-fold brochure (pdf format)
To contact the Iraq Initiatives Project directly, email us at initiatepeace@yahoo.com
The Iraq Initiatives Project is fiscally sponsored by the Ecumenical Peace
Institute. Donations to the Iraq Initiatives Project are tax deductible
if made payable to the Ecumenical Peace Institute and earmarked for the Iraq
Initiatives Project. Ecumenical Peace Institute/Clergy & Laity Concerned,
P.O. Box 9334, Berkeley, CA 94709.
The thinking is really brilliant. The value of initiatives here is to
educate and engage more Americans in the peace movement's agenda and to build
a greater mandate for withdrawal. The value of the referendum in Iraq is much
greater. If it passed (as it would), it would undermine the occupation.
--Tom Hayden
Back to the Main Page
