July 3, 2006 at 11:48:43

Iraq Freedom Congress Rejects Violence of Occupation and Insurgency

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By Kathlyn Stone (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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David Foster, then director of Steelworkers District #11 and a host of the Iraq labor visit to St. Paul, said US and Iraq workers have much in common. "What has become bitterly apparent in recent years-around the world and here at home-is that the global economy is being organized by the Global Fortune 500, not on the foundation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but in opposition to it. And especially in this country, the erosion of existing labor rights has been a consistent refrain of the Bush Administration with each successive treaty, trade agreement, and international monetary accord."

Al-Jawhary said the tour "inspired the labor and workers at home to join our union." He said USLAW recently sent a letter of endorsement for IFC. Because USLAW "is a premier organization that rallied against the war, the letter will have a huge and positive impact," said Al-Jawhary.

Other grassroots exchanges with Iraqis complement the IFC vision. CODEPINK hosted a delegation of Iraqi women this spring who participated in vigils, met with legislators, and took part in public forums with Cindy Sheehan. Last month, CODEPINK took out ads in eight Iraq newspapers, pledging solidarity with Iraqis and offering words of condolence, support, and hope.

Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK cofounder, said, "We are thrilled by the feedback we are getting. The newspapers are reporting that they are swamped with calls from readers saying that this ad gives them hope and makes them realize there are Americans who support their desire to be free from foreign occupation. We must find ways to work together to end the bloodshed."

Even the U.S. military has become increasingly vocal in calling for a change of course. Several generals have said only diplomacy can bring an end to the war. Lt. Gen. Pete Chiarelli, commander of the Multinational Corps in Iraq, was quoted this spring saying: "A prosperous Iraq will be a peaceful Iraq. By creating jobs and opportunity, the government will take away a major source of support for violent movements."

The chorus for peace in Iraq is growing louder every day.

For more information:
Iraq Freedom Congress www.ifcongress.com
Code Pink Iraq Newspaper Ad www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=976
Satellite PEACE /IFC TV www.ifcongress.com/English/support-tv.htm
US Labor Against the War www.uslaboragainstwar.org
"Meeting Face to Face" The Iraq-US Labor Solidarity Tour Video www.meetingfacetoface.org

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Kathlyn Stone is a Minnesota-based writer covering science and medicine, health care and related policies.-She publishes www.fleshandstone.net, a health and science news site.

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.