Veterans culminate week of lobby visit with strong opposition to war supplemental

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May13, 2009

What: Veterans culminate week of lobby visit with strong opposition to war supplemental
Where: East front of the US Capitol Building
When: Thursday, May 14, 11:30 a.m.

Washington DC, Afghanistan war veteran and retired Marine Corporal Rick Reyes along with other Afghanistan veterans are set to demonstrate public opposition to the $94 billion war supplemental. The action is a culmination of a week of successful activities and lobby visits.

The veterans' efforts have prompted congressional offices to co-sponsor the Jim McGovern amendment that would require the administration to provide an exit plan for Afghanistan no later than December 2009. Veterans were also warmly received by the Congressional Progressive Caucus with Cpl. Reyes being invited to participate in a forum featuring an expert panel on Afghanistan policy. Veterans have left a long-lasting impression on congressional offices across Capitol Hill.

"I could not sit idle and watch as Congress approves close to $100 billion without having answered pertinent questions on Afghanistan. We still don't have an exit strategy or benchmarks. There are lots of questions that must still be answered. We must rethink our approach to the war in Afghanistan." Marine Corporal Rick Reyes, Afghanistan Veteran

"I hope that in having shared my experiences with Congress I was able to have an impact on policy that will have a lasting effect on American troops and Afghan civilians alike." Marine Jake Diliberto, Afghanistan Veteran

Rick Reyes and the group of veterans will gather in front of US Capitol building beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The veterans were motivated to come to DC after listening to Cpl. Rick Reyes testify before the US Senate Foreign Relations where he strongly criticized the escalation of troops and the increase of funding for the Afghanistan conflict.

Brave New Foundation's Rethink Afghanistan is partnering with CREDO Mobile to support the vets in their efforts.

To learn more about Rick Reyes or the Rethink Afghanistan documentary campaign, please visit: www.RethinkAfghanistan.com

For more information or to host an interview or speaking engagement with Cpl. Rick Reyes, the group of vets or Rethink Afghanistan director Robert Greenwald, please contact: Martha De Hoyos at Martha@bravenewfoundation.org 310.402.9048.

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