OCTOBER 5 DIRECT ACTION AT WHITE HOUSE

Eight years ago on October 7, 2001, the U.S. and Britain invaded Afghanistan--and the war on Afghanistan continues today, with President Obama, the “anti-war candidate,” increasing the number of troops. On Monday, October 5, 2009, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR), working with Witness Against Torture, Peace Action, The War Resisters League, Atlantic Life Community, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, and Veterans for Peace, will mark the anniversary and speak out against the war with direct action risking arrest at the White House. There, activists will attempt to deliver a petition asking President Obama to end the war. In addition to calling for withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, we will also ask for ending the illegal bombing in Pakistan with US drones and other forms of violence, closing the Bagram prison, and ending indefinite detention and torture. The spreading of the violence into Pakistan could potentially lead to the destabilization of a nuclear power that could threaten the region with the use of nuclear weapons. We are calling for an end to these wars and occupations, including that of Iraq, so that our resources can be used for life-sustaining actions including the funding and the rebuilding of Afghanistan’s and Iraq's infrastructure and medical assistance to Afghanis and Iraqis, in addition to poverty reduction programs in the United States and world wide. We are calling for accountability for those who have committed war crimes. The White House action is a key component of a number of complimentary actions planned for early October, including the National Assembly’s call for united mass actions beginning October 3rd thru October 17, with a national march and civil resistance at the White House and Congress on October 5. If you would like to be involved or help with the planning, contact: www.nogoodwar.org or http://www.iraqpledge.org/