Statement of Purpose

This event is a call to action for all concerned residents.  It is a time for us to act together to express our opposition, non-violently, to current U.S. policies that led to and currently guide the war in and occupation of Iraq.

The current U.S.-led war and the policies supporting this pre-emptive approach to war promote conflict and not peace and make U.S. citizens and others around the world less secure. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, along with thousands of U.S. and other occupation troops, have died in a war that should never have occurred.

Some of the factors that make this war untenable are:
1.   We were purposely misled about the rationale for this war, and it is now recognized that we went to war for no justifiable reason.
2.   We are now involved in the occupation of a foreign country, a country in which American soldiers lack cultural understanding and a common language, skills that are necessary for them to effectively interact with the people. This has led to frustration, alienation and ultimately to increasing hostility and violence on both sides.

3.   The war on Iraq has depleted the good will the U.S. experienced post 9-11.  Much of the Muslim world interprets our occupation as conquest. Our geopolitical interest in the region with a desire to control oil resources and shape political outcomes reduces our credibility as a neutral force for securing democracy in Iraq.

4.   The current occupation in Iraq is a quagmire that we cannot surmount through current policies.

In order to address these problems, we need a drastically different approach to the current Iraq situation.  We call upon our elected leaders to:
1.   Publicly acknowledge the need for a different approach in the interest of the Iraqi people;
2.   Begin immediate plans for total deployment of U.S. troops back to the U.S., with no use of airpower in lieu of ground troops and no permanent bases;
3.   Concurrently engage our allies, including strong inclusion of Middle East countries, in talks designed to create a multi-lateral effort to support the Iraqi people in establishing stability and hopefully a democratic form of government;

4.   Confirm and follow through on our commitment to provide resources to help rebuild Iraq;

5.   Immediately pass legislation creating the U.S. Department of Peace, providing national resources to foster peaceful conflict resolution at the local, national and international levels.

Each of us can be part of the solution to this war. We have hope that Peace is Possible when U.S. citizens and their allies work non-violently in support of just policies and practices that reduce the conditions that contribute to terrorism & warfare.
We Can Make a Difference.
Together, Peace is Possible