A coalition of seven Iowa peace groups (List and contacts below) are planning, “A Vote With Your Feet” Anti-War Rally and Direct Action at the STARC Armory in Johnston IA on Nov 2nd - Election Day.

Among those who will be doing the direct action and risking arrest are area High School students.

The STARC Armory is the Headquarters for the Iowa National Guard. Dubbed the Iowa Pentagon Building, all Iowa Guard personnel who leave the state to fight in Iraq are Federalized through the STARC Armory.

From the presidential campaigns, it is clear that we cannot wait for politicians to act to end the illegal and immoral wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Regardless who wins the presidency, we will still be stuck in these god awful wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Neither candidate is leveling with us about these reckless military adventures and what needs to be done to make things right.” writes Frank Cordaro, one of the organizers of the Rally and Direct Action.

Rally Program includes:

Rev. Robert Cook will speak. Rev. Cook was a long time urban minister and peace and justice advocate for the Presbyterian Church in Des Moines and is now a Presbyterian missionary, living and working in El Salvador. In his debate with Senator Edwards, Vice President Cheney referenced El Salvador, a member of the USA coalition in Iraq, as a country where US foreign polices were successful. Rev. Cook will address of the tragically flawed and criminal results of US foreign policies in El Salvador during the 1970’s and 80’s.

The RADICAL CHEERLEADERS will perform. The Radical Cheerleaders take a tongue-in-cheek approach to the traditional standards of pep squads, using satire and humor to spark energy and enthusiasm at protests and peaceful assemblies of all sorts. Raising their voices in the support of social justice and peace, radical cheerleaders take on topics ranging from war and peace, government corruption to corporate domination to direct democracy, making their point a poetic way that pulls no punches.

Where: Front gate of STARC Armory, Johnston IA. Same site and format as last three demos at the Armory in March and Nov. 2003 and March 2004

When: Tuesday Nov. 2nd, 4 p.m. Rally and Direct Action to follow.

(Nonviolent Training to take place Monday Nov. 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Meth. Ch.. 8th and College in DM IA.)

A permit for the legal rally on the grassy knoll across the street from the Armory’s main gate at 7700 NW Beaver Dr., has been granted from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For more into contact:

Frank Cordaro
DM Catholic Worker Community
The Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House
713 Indiana St., Des Moines IA 50314
Ph (515) 282-4781
Cell Ph (515) 490-2490
E-mail cordaro@mchsi.com

Brain Terrell
Catholic Peace Ministry
4211 Grand Ave., Des Moines IA 50312
Ph (515) 255-8114
E-mail b.d.terrell@att.net

Jessica Ireland
Iowa Peace Network
4211 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
Ph (515) 255-7114
E-mail ipnet@earthlink.net

Jay Kozel
Central Iowa Youth Activist Network
243 51st St,, Des Moines IA 50312
Ph (515) 255-6876
Web Page: www.ciyanonline.cjb.net
E-mail iowayouthrise@aol.com

Laurie Jones
DM Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
2918 Rutland Ave. #1, Des Moines IA 50311
Ph (515) 274-1389

Jesse Wozniak
The UNI Students for Social Justice
2416 Olive Street Apt. #7
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Ph (319) 290-9157
E-mail jessewozniak@hotmail.com

Ed Bloomer
Des Moines Vets for Peace
1317 8th St. Des Moines IA 50314
Ph (515) 246-1944

Everyone planning on attending the rally and participating in the direct action must adhere to the nonviolent guidelines below:

Nov. 2, 2004- Direct action at STARC Armory Nonviolence Guidelines.

We ask that everyone who attends the demonstration reflect upon and respect these commitments during the Nov. 2nd demo..

Accordingly –
— We will carry no weapons.
— We will not vandalize.
— We will not use or carry alcohol or illegal drugs.
— We will not swear or use insulting language.
— We will not run in public or otherwise make threatening motions.
— We will not assault — either verbally or physically — those who oppose or disagree with
us…even if they assault us. We will protect those who oppose us from insult or attack.
— We will honor the emergency decisions of the empowered coordinators and organizers of the demo.
— Our attitude as conveyed through words, symbols and actions will be one of respect toward
all — including police officers, military personnel, members of the larger community, and all demonstrators friends and foes alike.
— If prosecuted we will use the judicial process to continue our resistance. Where possible, we
will put the US illegal, unjust and immoral occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan on trial.

“Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine… Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is powerless when it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.” - Henry David Thoreau, On Civil Disobedience, 1847