Statements of IPT

I am Lisa Dawn Martens from Manitoba, Canada. One of the layers/reasons that I'm here is simple. I believe that people are smart and beautiful enough that they can work things out without killing each other.

I cannot stop a war or shield people from bombs. What I can do is this: pray, contribute my voice, in my way, to the millions of voices against this war, and accompany Iraqi civilians during this painful time. I am honored to be part of a wider peace movement that spans all continents, thousands of generations, all religions and all peoples, including my little people - the Mennonites. Peace be with ya.

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I am Betty Scholten from Mt. Rainier, MD, just outside Washington, DC. I am here in Iraq to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people; to let them know that I represent many people in the U.S. who, like me, do not want this war. I hope that my presence on the streets of Baghdad can be a comfort to the Iraqi people; to show them that they are not alone, that I believe their lives are just as important as mine or anyone else's. I believe that what I am doing as a peacemaker will make the world a safer place for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as for children here in Iraq and all over the world.

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My name is Lisa Ndejuru from Montreal, Canada. I have been in Iraq since January 28, 2003. In order for the people of Iraq to have a chance at building the peace they need, I join with the people in the world in telling our respective governments “No War On Iraq.” Even though we were millions around the world marching in protest of the war on February 15, the war is still a threat. And so we have to do more, be more and keep it coming. Protest and sit down and stop traffic. I am strengthened by our numbers and believe that we, the people, can turn the tide.

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My name is Cathy Breen and I am from New York City. I came to Iraq to see just who these people are whom I've been told are my “enemy and a threat to our national security.” What I have found is a warm and welcoming people who want only peace. Fearful mothers, fathers, and grandparents ask me despairingly why it is that we want to bomb them. “What have we done?” they ask me. Daily I am surrounded by children whose bright smiles and antics light up my day, and by young people who sing songs and dream dreams just like kids anywhere. These are the people we are intent on killing? These people have given me a sense of security as they receive me with open arms and hearts into their families. Having found brothers and sisters here I can no longer imagine leaving them as long as the threat of an attack from my country exists. Our silence as a nation is no longer tolerable. We must resist and oppose this war!

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Salam a li Kuum (Peace be with you). My name is Bettyjo Passalaqua. I am a member of the Iraq Peace Team and a citizen of the United States. I came to Iraq in January 2003 in protest of the U.S./U.N. sponsored sanctions against Iraq, and the U.S. threats of aggression. I will remain here indefinitely, standing in solidarity with the gracious, openhearted Iraqi people, who desire and deserve justice and peace.

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I am Virgine Lawinger from Germantown, WI. I came to Iraq the first week in February in an effort to intensify my previous ten-year effort to stop the sanctions. Here I see the new friends I make every day and realize the frightening humanitarian toll to be heaped on these beautiful people should the plan to bomb Baghdad with hundreds of missiles become reality in the coming weeks. Next week I return to the States to resume an all out push to stop the war and seek peace; and this will require us to move from rallies and demonstrations to direct non-violent civil disobedience.

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I am Mike Ferner from Toledo, Ohio. I'm in Iraq for three reasons. The first is to learn about the people of Iraq and let them know not everyone in my country is as crazy for war as Mr. Bush. The second is to speak to my friends in the U.S. peace movement and urge them to do more; to withdraw their consent from their government; to sit down, strike and do whatever they can to throw a huge wrench into Mr. Bush's war machine. Thirdly, as a military veteran who nursed hundreds of casualties from the Vietnam War, I want to speak to U.S. troops - to tell them that good Americans don't fight for empire; that good Americans use their brains and their consciences to think about what they're being ordered to do, and do the right thing.

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I am Cliff Kindy from North Manchester, IN. I came to Iraq asking myself “How do we end a war for a change?” There are major global efforts in that direction and I am trying to be a piece of that.

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I am Elaine Martinez from Roselle, IL. I am in Iraq with Voices in the Wilderness, because I oppose all war, especially this war. I believe that the U.S. caused untold suffering by bombing Iraq's infrastructure during the Gulf War and have continued to oppress them through sanctions. I hope that by coming here at this time I can help to raise the awareness of Americans to the Iraqi suffering and, possibly, stop a new war.

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I am Neville Watson from Australia. I have always found it difficult to explain why I am in Iraq. The reason is that my motivation is religious and our society is largely illiterate on religious matters. I do not say that in an unkind way but simply to explain why I have difficulty in answering the question. To me religion is about being responsive to the Spirit of life seeking to bring love and peace to us and our world. My “call” (to use religious language) at this time is to be in Iraq with those who are going to suffer.

My ten-year-old grandchild provided me with the best explanation of why I am here. She was asked upon returning to school to write about something that happened in the holidays. She wrote “My grandpa has gone to Iraq to comfort the Iraqi people while the Americans bomb them.” The dear little kid went on to say, “Poor Grandma will have to live on her own for six weeks and maybe forever. I love Grandpa very much and I hope he will return.” So do I, Jessie dear. So do I.

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I am Jerry Zawada, Franciscan, from Cedar Lake, IN. I had wanted to come to Iraq for the last twelve years, ever since the Gulf War began. Here I am finally. The Iraq people are special - warm-hearted and fully accepting us as friends. In the weeks remaining I hope to give of myself more fully while spending time in prayer and reflection. This is for me a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage where I'm meant to learn more from our Iraqi family and from team members and to use what capability I have to be of service.

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I am Cynthia Banas from Vernon, NY. Why I am staying in Iraq? President Bush proclaimed a few months ago that he didn't want to do too much bomb damage to Baghdad since he thought it would be easier to bring `democracy' to Iraq if infrastructure was not completely destroyed. Now several months later, Mr. Bush plans a SHOCK & AWE - A Day (A as in atomic bomb, play on D-Day), a several day bomb attack on Baghdad in which more bombs would be dropped than were used during the 1st Gulf Massacre in 1991. I'm staying in Baghdad because this is where my heart is, with my Iraqi family, because this is where my life is and so this is where I will be. If my beloved biological family were in danger, I would be with them. If my home country follows through on this diabolical plan to destroy Baghdad I'm ready to go on to the next dimension of debriefing.

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I am Mary Burton Riseley from Gila, N.M. I am a Quaker and I am in Baghdad to offer comfort to the Iraqi people, who have been punished and demonized by my government through these long twelve years of sanctions. I came because I wanted to feel that I had done everything I could to prevent my government from making war here against a population that UNICEF says is now 46% under the age of 17. I reject utterly the principle of killing people in order to liberate them. I hope that the rising world tide of compassion for Iraqis and against war will bring about a better life for Baghdad and the rest of Iraq.

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I am Jeffery Leys of Greenfield, WI. I am in Baghdad to stand and live in solidarity with the people of Iraq. As a US citizen it is important for us all to use the strongest possible non-violent means available to resist the sanctions regime and the impending escalation of the war on the people of Iraq. We must all do whatever we can to force the cogs of the machinery of death to a grinding halt. I choose to violate the unjust laws of the US to accomplish this task.

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I am Ed Kinane from Syracuse, New York.

I have a conscience.

I am a human. Human life is precious. More precious than oil. Infinitely more precious than the profit and power derived from traffic in oil.

By accident of birth I am a U.S. citizen. I embrace that citizenship…and the duty it thrusts on me.

Here in the cradle of civilization my country is threatening the very basis of civilization. It is threatening the lives of the Iraqi people. The great majority of these are women and children - unarmed, innocent and vulnerable.

In this harrowing time, in this protracted crisis, I am here to be a witness, to testify against this Crime.

I am here to be a voice - an increasingly informed voice - against this witless, venal and craven attack.

I am here in solidarity with the Iraqi people -- who await the onslaught with dignity.

Let them live!

Let U.S. people awake and shed our blankets of dishonor and complicity.

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I am Trish Schuh from New York. A main reason for my being in Iraq is to have an alternate media source to the US. It is sad to see the number of reporters here from all over the world, and hardly a one from the US. The US media is doing a great disservice to the American people by not covering the issues at stake here in Iraq. We are trying to be that needed voice.