The invasion of Falluja, anticipated to be the bloodiest battle since Vietnam, began on Sunday. There are reports of hospitals and clinics bombed as well as civilian casualties. The US administration is trying to sell the line, "We warned them. Now they deserve whatever they get." But people on the ground estimate that 50,000 civilians either would not or could not leave (in fact, prior to the invasion US troops prevented men from leaving).
The retaking of major urban areas is likely to be the new face of this war. OMJP and other groups will be working on long-term responses that keep issues of Iraqi suffering and US militarism visible, and promote nonviolent solutions on local and global levels. There are also important actions that can be done this week:
ACTIONS
Call elected officials and ask them to halt the bloodshed:
White House: (202) 456-1111
Senator Murray: (206) 553-5545
Senator Cantwell: (206) 220-6400
Rep. Baird: (360) 695-6292
Rep. Smith: (253) 926-6683
The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation has invited people to participate in their peace vigils with Falluja signs. The first vigil is Wednesday at 12:00 at Sylvester Park, and the second is Friday at 4:30 at Percival Landing. These are peaceful vigils and all are welcome. Please bring signs about Falluja.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Al Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage
Democracy Now: www.democracynow.org
United for Peace and Justice:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/downloads/falluja_talking_points.doc
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