Purpose of Voices in the Wilderness:

Voices in the Wilderness was formed in 1996 to nonviolently challenge the economic warfare being waged by the US against the people of Iraq. Voices continues its work today, acting to end to the US occupation of Iraq. As US citizens, our key demands of our government include:

• An end to the US occupation of Iraq.
• The clean-up in Iraq of depleted uranium, cluster bombs and landmines and other unexploded weapons, with this clean-up fully funded by the US. A prohibition on any future use of such weapons.
• Respect for all human rights and worker rights in Iraq.
• Respect for Iraqi movement toward self-determination and renunciation of any effort to create a puppet government with strings attached to the US’ own national interest.
• Payment of restitution by the US government to Iraqis who suffered loss as a result of the past 14 years of economic and military warfare at the hands of the US.
• Reconstruction of Iraq funded by the US and its allies, but directed by and for the benefit of Iraqi citizens.
• Employment of Iraqis, not non-Iraqis, in the rebuilding of Iraq, with Iraqis being paid a living wage.
• Full health care for all, including US soldiers and Iraqis, who suffered physical or psychological injuries as a result of the US war against Iraq.
• Redirecting our country’s resources away from war-making and towards funding of the common good. The common good includes fully funded universal health care and education, including post-high school education. It also includes employment which pays a living wage.