ADVISORY - AMERICANS IN IRAQ

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2003

Contact:

Danny Muller 773.784.8065 / 917.217.6809

Tom Walsh 773.784.8065 / 773.419.0837



Dozens of American citizens and other internationals commit to remain in Iraq, despite the threat of a US attack. They continue to support and help Iraqi citizens who, through no fault of their own, face imminent attack in an illegal US-led war.

War will likely involve bombarding 24 million Iraqi citizens and the infrastructure they depend on for basic necessities. Twelve million Iraqis are under the age of 15 years old. Standing with the Iraqi people during this dangerous time, are numerous US veterans, people of faith, independent media, medical and humanitarian groups. They have consistently, in conjunction with international efforts, highlighted nonviolent alternatives to economic and military warfare, and to governments that do not represent their citizens.

Americans in Iraq with Voices in the Wilderness' Iraq Peace Team are not human shields. Many have been furthering humanitarian efforts in Iraq since 1990. Their actions reflect a deep-seated commitment to the possibilities for nonviolent resolution, including an end to economic sanctions and inhumane US foreign policy that endangers the security and well being of Americans and Iraqis worldwide.

An attack on Iraqi civilians is an attack on the principles and responsibilities of the United States. Delegates stand as representatives of another America, grounded in the tradition of active nonviolent resistance.

Before war is pursued without question or honest dialogue, we invite elected officials to contact those Americans, who they have sworn to represent, currently on the ground in Iraq. Below find the Iraq Peace Team members and their contact numbers.



Hotel Phone # (from the US) Contact person

Al Dar 011 9641 718 6417 Charles Liteky

Al Fanar 011 9641 718 8007 Kathy Kelly

Andalus 011 9641 719 2303 Michael Birmingham



Team members will also continue to be present, when possible, at the Al Dar Area orphanage, St. Raphael Hospital, Al Mansour Pediatric Hospital, Al Mansour water treatment plant and distributing emergency supplies with CARE International.



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Voices in the Wilderness / Iraq Peace Team Members March 18, 2003



Thorne Anderson North Little Rock, AR Photojournalist

Cynthia Banas Vernon, NY Librarian

Michael Birmingham Dublin, Ireland Affordable Housing Advocate

Cathy Breen New York, NY Nurse

Shane Claiborne Philadelphia, PA Community Development

Martin Lee Edwards Healdsburg, CA SBC-retired, Peace Activist

Turcotte Robert Joseph Francois Cap Rouge, Canada Educator, Author

Margaret (Peggy) Gish Athens, OH Farmer, Conflict Management

Wade Hudson Boulder Creek, CA Mental Health Counselor, Author

Dr. April Marie Hurley Santa Rosa, CA Physician

Jooneed “Khan” Jeeroburkhan Montreal, Cananda Journalist

Douglas Edward Johnson Louisville, KY Organizer, Screenplay Writer

Kathleen Kelly Chicago, IL Co-Founder, ViTW

Scott Steven Kerr Downers Grove, IL Human Rights Activist

Edward Fuller Kinane Syracuse, NY Editor, Teacher

Clifford Lee Kindy North Manchester, IN Farmer,

Ramzi Kysia Washington, DC Writer, Organizer

Charles Liteky San Francisco, CA Veterans Administration

Ret. US Army Captain

Lisa Dawn Martens Winnepeg, Canada Human Rights Activist

Lisa Ndejuru Montreal, Canada Student

Bettejo Marie Passalaqua Omak, WA Teacher

Patricia Ann Schuh New York, NY Public Relations

Rev. Neville Watson Wembley Downs, Australia Minister, Barrister

Rev. Jerome Zawada, OFM Cedar Lake, IN Priest, Educator

Houfani Zehira Montreal, Canada Author, Journalist