[act-ma] 01/14: Getting things straight on Iraq: Raed Jarrar and Terry Rockefeller

Thu Jan 5 09:52:13 PST 2012

Getting things straight on Iraq*A Peace Movement Briefing with Raed Jarrar
and Terry Rockefeller*Saturday, January 14 - 1 to 4 pm
First Parish, 3 Church St (Helverson Parlor), Cambridge

[image: Raed Jarrar]UJP's quarterly strategy session will feature a
briefing on just what is happening in Iraq and its implications for peace
activists. The briefing will be provided by Raed Jarrar and Terry
Rockefeller.

Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi-Palestinian architect, blogger and political
analyst who was in Iraq during the U.S. invasion in 2003 and has recently
returned from another trip. He is a former AFSC and Peace Action staff
person who provided constant briefings to peace activists throughut the war
as well as working with Congressman Delahunt’s office to develop opposition
to the war in Congress.  He collected his and his family's blog posts into *The
Iraq War Blog, An Iraqi Family's Inside View of the First Year of the
Occupation*, published in 2008.   Read Raed's blog
posts<http://raedinthemiddle.blogspot.com/>
.

[image: Terry Rockefeller]Terry Rockefeller is a member of Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows whose sister was killed in the attacks of September 11
and a tireless worker for peace and reconciliation. Terry recently attended
the Third Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI), an
international conference in Erbil, northern Iraq. Under the theme “Another
Iraq is Possible with Peace and Human Rights,” ICSSI was attended by about
150 Iraqi and 100 representatives of international civil society (i.e.,
nonprofit) organizations. At the meeting participants discussed the
challenges that Iraqi people are facing, the issues on which Iraqi civil
society is now working, and the kinds of solidarity needed among Iraqi NGOs
and international organizations to bring about democratic change, social
justice, human rights, freedom, and dignity for all Iraqis.   The specific
issues addressed include a search for how to address pollution and the
grave health affects due to war damages; discussions of privatization of
oil resources; ongoing obstacles to having a free civil society; and
Iraqis' thoughts on withdrawal of U.S. troops and the need to monitor
practices of private security contractors

Listen to Terry Rockefeller’s interview with Callie
Crossley<http://www.wgbh.org/programs/The-Callie-Crossley-Show-855/episodes/Wed-September-7Terry-Rockefeller-Peaceful-Tomorrows-31401>
 on WGBH, September 7, 2011 and read the Declaration of the Erbil
conference<http://justicewithpeace.org/files/Final%20Declaration%20Erbil%20Conference%20Eng%20DRAFT%2010-11.pdf>
.

For over 8 years Iraq has been right at the center of peace movement
activities. We have carried out untold numbers of demonstrations,
congressional actions, educational events and acts of civil disobedience in
our relentless campaign to end the war. United for Justice with Peace (UJP)
has been at the forefront of that campaign in the Greater Boston area. On
the day of the invasion in 2003 UJP carried out a significant civil
disobedience action at the JFK building. Often led by Military Families
Speak Out, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Veterans for Peace, the peace
movement’s protest of the Iraq war was critical in making the Iraq war THE
national issue from 2005 until the financial meltdown in 2008. And the Iraq
issue was clearly the deciding factor that gave the Democratic Party
nomination to Obama over Clinton.

And now, at the very time when one of the key events of the whole Iraq war
is taking place, the peace movement seems to be confused about what is
happening. Some say the war is over. Others say the war continues because
there are 16,000 State Department personnel -- including 8,000 armed
mercenaries -- still in iraq. Some say the U.S. still has huge bases
throughout Iraq. Others say the bases have been closed down. Some call the
present troop withdrawal a fake. Others claim it is a victory for the peace
movement. There is confusion about who controls Iraq’s oil, one of the main
points of contention throughout the entire war. And then, of course, there
is the issue of what will happen now in Iraq and what are the most pressing
problems the country must deal with.

All those interested in Iraq, whether members of UJP groups or not, are
welcome to participate.
<http://justicewithpeace.org/>

United for Justice with Peace <http://justicewithpeace.org/> is a coalition
of peace and justice organizations and community peace groups in the
Greater Boston region. The UJP Coalition, formed after September 11th,
seeks global peace through social and economic justice.
<http://justicewithpeace.org/donate>

*Help us continue to do this critical work! Make a donation to UJP
today.<http://justicewithpeace.org/donate>
*

info at justicewithpeace.org
617-383-4857www.justicewithpeace.org
Upcoming Events:

Scarred Lands, Wounded Lives (film) <http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3270>Thu
Jan 56:45pmCambridge Public Library - Central SquareCambridge25% Campaign
Meeting <http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3358>Sat Jan 71:00pmFirst Church
in Cambridge, CongregationalCambridgeGetting things straight on
Iraq<http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3371>Sat
Jan 141:00pmFirst Parish ChurchCambridgeSinging for Our Lives: People's
Music Concert <http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3374>Fri Jan 277:30pmLawrence
High School Performing Arts CenterLawrenceMassachusetts Peace Action Annual
Meeting <http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3290>Sat Jan 281:00pmFirst
Baptist ChurchNewtonMassachusetts Jobs with Justice 20th Anniversary
Dinner<http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3299>Thu
Mar 156:00pmtba

Retire NATO, Create Jobs & Fund Peace<http://justicewithpeace.org/node/3251>Fri
May 189:00am
Chicago, IL

*More Peace and Justice Events <http://justicewithpeace.org/upcoming-events>.
   How to Submit Events <http://justicewithpeace.org/posting-events>*
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