Stop Raping Palestine.: "We believe that it is crucial not only to criticize the immoral and illegal acts of the Israeli and U.S. governments, but to back [it] up with action

Saturday, June 21, 2008

"We believe that it is crucial not only to criticize the immoral and illegal acts of the Israeli and U.S. governments, but to back [it] up with action

"Cindy Sheehan and Other Local/National Antiwar Leaders Endorse I-97"

Growing list also includes Cynthia McKinney, Dahr Jamail, Veterans for Peace, Jewish Voice for Peace

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2008

http://divestfromwar.org/pressroom/cindy-sheehan-endorses-2008-06-17.html

During her recent visit to Seattle, Cindy Sheehan became the latest antiwar leader to endorse Seattle ballot initiative 97. Sheehan first grabbed headlines in 2005 by camping outside George W. Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch after her son Casey was killed in Iraq.

Former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and "unembedded" journalist Dahr Jamail have also endorsed the campaign in recent days. Jamail is the author of the award-winning book "Beyond the Green Zone - Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq."

Additionally, I-97 has recently received the endorsement of local antiwar organizations, including Veterans for Peace Chapter 92 (greater Seattle area). Chapter president Candace Davis says, "Wars will end when we make it unprofitable to engage in them. And if we weren't filling the pockets of war profiteers, maybe we would have money to pay for the medical care of our veterans."

Also endorsing the campaign is the Seattle chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, which said in its statement of endorsement, "We believe that it is crucial not only to criticize the immoral and illegal acts of the Israeli and U.S. governments, but to back up that criticism with action. We are among the many American Jews who say to the U.S. and Israeli governments: Not in our names!"

Ballot initiative 97, if adopted, would require the Seattle Employees’ Retirement System to divest from any company that (1) participates directly in the occupation of Iraq; (2) is profiting from privatization of Iraqi state resources; (3) provides direct material support to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights; and (4) has a direct presence in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories listed above. It would also require divestment from Israeli government bonds if Israel carries out a military attack on Iran without UN authorization.

For a full list of endorsements, please visit the campaign web site at: