Thanksgiving with the Bushes!



CALL TO ACTION
SPONSORS: GOLD STAR FAMILIES FOR PEACE , CRAWFORD PEACE HOUSE 
ENDORSED BY: Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans For Peace, Code Pink
Date: November 22-November 27, 2005
Place: Crawford, Texas (Camp Casey 2)
Events: 11/22: Civil Disobedience
11/23: Organization of Katrina relief/Meal Preparation
11/24: Simple Thanksgiving Meal
11/25: Memorial Dedication
11/26: March/Rally- Possible Interfaith Service
Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather to give thanks and celebrate the
years achievements. In this spirit, the family of Camp Casey and the Crawford
Peace Movement will reunite in Crawford, Texas this Thanksgiving to celebrate
our work, remember those who are no longer with us, and share our stories, our
lives, and the wealth of our community.
The past year has seen many tragic milestones in the war on Iraq. Despite the
Presidents assertion that major combat ended last year, military operations
have continued, and resulted in the destruction of the city of Falluja, 2,065
American deaths, 200,000 Iraqi deaths, 199 coalition deaths, and 15,353 American
soldiers wounded. But this year has also been a year of victories for our
movement ( figures as of 11/04/05).
This past August, our community united in Crawford with Cindy Sheehan to demand
that the President explain the noble cause for which he claims our troops
have died. Then, on September 24, we massed over 200,000 people in Washington
D.C. to send a clear message to the world that we do not consent to wars of
conquest in our name and demand that the troops be brought home NOW!
Since Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana, claiming over 1,000 American lives,
the Crawford coalition has been providing material assistance to the people of
New Orleans while the government struggles under the weight of its own
bureaucracy.
After we left Crawford at the end of August, McLennan County designated the
county bar ditches no speech zones by making it illegal to camp, eat or
erect a structure for living in them . Additionally, they created a no
parking zone for a 7 mile radius around the Bush ranch. This is a violation
of our constitutional rights to free speech and free assembly. On Tuesday,
November 22, some of us will challenge this ordinance by gathering in the Camp
Casey 1 ditch to let George Bush know that he cannot continue to turn a deaf ear
to our grievances.
In solidarity with people who continue to suffer as a result of the
Presidents failed war in Iraq, we will forgo the standard excessive American
Thanksgiving feast for a simple Iraqi meal. We will organize food and monetary
donations for a convoy coming through Crawford to take to New Orleans to those
who continue to struggle to rebuild their lives.
Friday, we will dedicate the new Memorial Garden at the Crawford
Peace House. This will include the carved stone that was started this summer.
Saturday, we will engage in a demonstration (march/rally/caravan, details to be
announced. We will disband on Sunday to return to our local communities to
continue our campaign to end the war and bring our troops home.
We are requesting each organization to collect donations of non perishable food
or funds from their membership and supporters, as well as post information about
this event on their websites. We must keep the war at the forefront of public
consciousness this holiday season. One more death is too many; tomorrow is too
late. Let us come together in community to renew our commitment to end the
suffering NOW!
The Crawford Peace House will secure access to Tonkawa Falls State Park for
camping, if needed. Shuttles will also be needed.
Contact the Crawford Peace House at 254-486-0099 for more information. Check
the Crawford Peace House Website for updated information about the event.
Please RSVP to the Crawford Peace House to let them know if you plan to attend
the Thanksgiving event, so that we can prepare for the correct number of people.
When you call, please let the Peace House know if you are willing to volunteer.
We will need the same kinds of volunteers that we did during the summer
encampment and we know that you will all rise to this effort. Thanks so much.
We look forward to seeing you again.
In Peace,
Dede
Gold Star Families for Peace

Posted: Wed - November 16, 2005 at 05:12 PM            

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