wfn.org | Oct. 9-11 Events, Washington, DC., on Iraq

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of Churches
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2252
NCC10/7/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATTENTION: DAYBOOKS AND ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
OCT. 9-11 EVENTS, WASHINGTON, D.C., VS. RUSH TO WAR WITH IRAQ

A wide swath of the American religious community, including the National
Council of Churches, continues to press for alternatives to a U.S.
unilateral, preemptive attack on Iraq.	A full week of events in Washington,
D.C., and elsewhere (Sept. 23-30; see www.ncccusa.org) will be followed
October 9-11 with:

October 9 - Lobby Day to Oppose War on Iraq, co-sponsored by NETWORK (a
National Catholic Social Justice Lobby), Leadership Conference of Women
Religious and Pax Christi USA.	Concurrent with the visits, and as members
of Congress are debating, a vigil will be held all day near the House and
Senate office buildings.   The day will conclude with a 6 p.m. "Evening
Prayer Vigil for Peace" at Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue at 13th St.
Contact NETWORK: 202-547-5556.

Noon Thursday, October 10, First Amendment Room, National Press Club, 14th
and F Streets  - Luncheon news conference opposing a U.S.-led preemptive
strike against Iraq, featuring speakers from religious, labor, academic,
business and minority communities; former military leaders; activists from
the womens and student movements, and family members of victims of the
Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.  Contact Martha Honey, Erik Leaver or Miriam
Pemberton, Foreign Policy in Focus, 202-234-9382, and Chris Toensing, Middle
East Research and Information Project, 202-223-3677.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 10, United Methodist Building Lawn, First and
Maryland Avenues, Washington, D.C. - Prayer vigil of concern about the
apparent U.S. rush to war with Iraq.  Contact Communication Department,
National Council of Churches, 212-870-2252/2227.

10:30 a.m. - Noon Friday, October 11 - Rayburn House Office Building 2360,
Washington, D.C.  Citizens Hearing on the Possibility of War with Iraq.
The Hon. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) presiding.  Contact J.E. McNeil, Center on
Conscience and War, 202-483-2220, or the National Council of Churches
Communication Department, 212-870-2252/2227.

October 11 - NOW With Bill Moyers (PBS-TV) will feature religious and
other voices of conscience against war with Iraq.  A NOW crew spent Sept.
26 with NCC General Secretary Robert W. Edgar for this segment.  Check local
listings for airtimes (9 p.m. eastern Oct. 11 in many markets).

-end-