Press Release       Press Release

Contact American Friends Service Committee at  413-584-8975 or afsc@crocker.com  for more information. To contact Veterans for Peace and Eric Wasileski for an interview call 413-367-0320.

To Prevent War on Iran

Hands Around the Federal Building

Springfield, Friday, August 15^th, 4:00 p.m.

Veterans for Peace, Wally Nelson Chapter 95, is initiating a call of conscience. We will be acting in the Spirit of Love by joining hands in an encirclement of the Federal Building in Springfield, symbol of federal actions and policy in our region.  The cost in blood and treasure in current wars and in preparation of future wars is unjust and immoral. As Dr. King said in 1967, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense (and offense) than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”

On the 15^th the message will be, “Enough of war, now is the time for peace!”  In our actions and words we will embody peace.  We are calling on participants to act and speak in a spirit of non-divisiveness, striving to express and appeal to the best of humanity in all of us.  There will no civil disobedience and safe passage in and out of the building will be guaranteed. We will stand for peace, sing for peace, hold signs for peace, be silent for peace, walk for peace, pray for peace.

In the words of veteran Eric Wasileski, “If you are a person of conscience or part of a group who wants to take an action in a safe, friendly and determined atmosphere please consider coming and joining in.  We know what will happen if we stand by and do nothing.  Let us take action that is in line with our values BEFORE and at least try to stop another insane invasion.”

The Nipponzan Myohoji Peace Pagoda is planning a walk through Springfield during the afternoon, joining the demonstration at the Federal Building at 4:00. Details to come.

For many this third Friday action will fulfill their commitment to the Iraq Moratorium Campaign For more information about this campaign go to www.iraqmoratorium.org .

Contact the American Friends Service Committee at  413-584-8975 or afsc@crocker.com  for more information. To contact Veterans for Peace and Eric Wasileski for an interview call 413-367-0320.

Sponsored by Veterans for Peace.

Co-sponsors of this event include:  WM American Friends Service Committee, Northampton Committee to Stop the War in Iraq, SAGE, the WM Iraq Moratorium Coalition, the WM Coalition to Prevent War on Iran,

the Peace and Justice Committee of First Churches, Nipponzan Myohoji Peace Pagoda, and many others.