Demand an End to US Military Action in Najaf

When and Where: Thursday, August 12 - Chicago, Illinois.

12:00 noon � leafletting outside the federal building (230 S. Dearborn)

1:00 � Walk to John Kerry’s campaign office (432 N Clark St, #203)

The US military considers the Shrine of Imam Ali, in Najaf, Iraq to be a viable military target. Our military has told civilians to leave Najaf, in what appears to be the creation of a free fire zone, where anyone who moves becomes a target. The Imam Ali Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Shia and Sunni Islam. The Imam Ali was the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. Targeting the Imam Ali Mosque is to target the heart of Islam.

Voices in the Wilderness invites you to join us as we demand that John Kerry publicly call for the end of US military actions in Najaf, the withdrawal of all US troops from Najaf, and respect for the Imam Ali Mosque. This demand has been faxed to Senator Kerry’s campaign and Senate offices. We demand that all of our elected representatives also publicy oppose US military action in Najaf.

Voices in the Wilderness engages in and organizes non-violent acts of protest and resistance to the US war and occupation in Iraq.

For more information contact Jeff Leys at Voices in the Wilderness, 773-784-8065, jeffleys@vitw.org.

Our country’s military now declares preparations to attack the Shrine of Ali in the city of Najaf in Iraq. Our country stands on the precipice of declaring war on Islam. An attack on the Shrine of Ali is an attack on the heart of Islam and must be nonviolently resisted in our country.

The US military is urging civilians to leave Najaf. We take this as a signal that our country is preparing to turn Najaf into a free fire zone, in which all who move, civilian or not, are targeted for attack. A free fire zone and an attack on the Shrine would significantly escalate the violence throughout Iraq, increasing the danger for all Iraqis.

As the fighting and crisis intensifies in Najaf, Voices in the Wilderness calls for nonviolent acts demanding an end to the fighting. Call your Congressional Representative, US Senator and John Kerry’s campaign headquarters in your state to demand that they publicly call for an end to all US military actions in Najaf, against its citizens and at the Imam Ali Mosque. Call candidates for federal office in your state and issue the same demand. If they don’t respond positively, initiate nonviolent direct actions at their offices. Such nonviolent actions can include: an occupation of their office; a daily vigil outside of their office; a fax campaign to their office demanding they issue the statement; or a phone call campaign to their office. Also, write letters to the editor of your local newspapers and hold vigils in your local community. The time to act is now.

Please see VitW’s Emergency Action Concerning Najaf Iraq.

Kathy Kelly and Michael Birmingham of Voices in the Wilderness speak about the occupation of Iraq and resistance to Empire in the US, Iraq and elsewhere.

Date Recorded: 2004-07-07
Location Recorded: Chicago, IL

Stream the Interview (50:16 - 34.5 MB)

or Download (50:16 - 34.5 MB)