Nonviolent Direct Action on Capitol Hill
Dear Friends,
On Thursday, September 20, over 60 peacemakers from around the U.S. held a nonviolent protest at the U.S. Capitol to call on Congress to end all funding for the immoral and criminal U.S. occupation of Iraq. The protest was sponsored by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance and the Declaration of Peace.
Inside the Crypt of the U.S. Capitol, 34 people were arrested for doing a “die-in” to remember all the war-dead. Before each person died-in a name was read of either an Iraqi victim or a U.S. soldier who died in Iraq. We all wore blood-stained shirts and some wore photos of Iraqi victims or U.S. soldiers.
Those of us who were arrested were charged with “disorderly conduct” and were released by Capitol police after five hours of processing. We were given three different court dates: Oct. 16, Oct. 18 and Oct. 23. Outside the Capitol peacemakers carried out a powerful die-in as military veterans, including Iraq veterans stood in solemn formation. There were no arrests outside.
These actions are yet another attempt by peacemakers to call for an immediate end to the U.S. war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We continue to keep our eyes on the prize and we seek to be the change we want to see in the world and strive to create the beloved community.
In peace and hope,
Art Laffin
To view photos of this action, please visit the Jonah House web site.
