wfn.org | Christian Peace Witness for Iraq to gather on 100th day of new administratio

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Christian Peace Witness for Iraq to gather on 100th day of new  administration

> Written by Gregg Brekke
> April 17, 2009

After five years of occupation, Christian peace advocates are still asking for an end to the war in Iraq and accountability surrounding the detention and torture of suspected terrorists and war criminals.

Hundreds of activists are expected to rally in Washington, D.C., on April 29-30, encouraging continued progress in withdrawal of forces from Iraq, humane refugee resettlement policies and reform in interrogation practices.

As in past events organized by Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, education and conversation are coupled with worship and action. Lobbying opportunities for participants on Capitol Hill will accompany civil disobedience ? with anticipated arrests.

In 2007, more than 200 of the group?s protestors were arrested from the crowd of 3,000 who marched from the Washington National Cathedral to the White House calling for an immediate end to the Iraq war.

Michael Neuroth, Policy Advocate for International Issues at the UCC?s Justice and Witness Ministries, has played a role in organizing the rally. ?We?re supportive of the President?s plan to withdraw troops,? he said.

The group has been encouraged by a more open dialog on foreign policy decisions in the Obama administration, including the President?s declaration on torture signed during his first days in office.

Yet, Neuroth is aware of unresolved issues regarding Iraq that will be spoken on and lobbied for during the event. "On the humanitarian front, there is a need for increased funding for Iraqi reconstruction and expanded opportunities for Iraqi refugees to enter the United States," he said.

On the evening of April 29, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will gather thousands of loaves of bread in front of the White House in an act of liturgical public action, calling the nation to repent of its trust in the powers of death and to choose instead the way of life. Event organizers say each loaf will be accompanied with a monetary contribution: the bread will be shared with the hungry in Washington, D.C.; the financial gift will support the people of Iraq.

Kwame Osei Reed, UCC Potomac Association Minister, will participate as a local clergy representative to lead the procession from worship at National City Church to the White House.

Specific legislation goals of this year's gathering are:

* Support the President?s plan to Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq by 2011 and speak out for the public referendum in Iraq of the US-Iraq Withdrawal Agreement  (The referendum must take place before July 31, 2009.)

* Support the President's funding level for Iraqi refugees and economic reconstruction in the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill.  Urge Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 578, the Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act , a bill which addresses the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, and facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk.

* Urge Senators to cosponsor S.147, the Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act of 2009, a bill to outlaw the CIA's coercive interrogation program, require the government to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, end secret detentions, prohibit interrogations of detainees by government contractors, and require greater cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross.  (Encourage Representatives to offer similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.)

Event details and registration information can be found at <christianpeacewitness.org>.