American troops have been in Iraq for nearly five years. The unjustified invasion of Iraq, begun in March 2003, has dragged on with no end in sight. Sadly, American casualties continue to mount: nearly 4000 dead and tens of thousands seriously wounded.

United for Peace and Justice is calling for and supporting a set of activities on and around the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq that will manifest the intensifying opposition to the war. You can help: write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, calling for an end to our involvement in Iraq, and supporting the events taking place to mark the 5th anniversary of the war.

Actions: 

1. Write letters to local, state, and national publications, calling for a safe withdrawal of our troops out of Iraq now.
   New Jersey area newspapers: Go to our NJ Media Corps Online Action Center:
   
   http://www.usmediacorps.org/nj/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,40/
   
   National media: Use  the Congress.org Media Guide at: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/
   
   
2. Participate in one of the activities supported by United for Peace and Justice scheduled for the 5th anniversary of the war:
• ­March 13-16, Winter Soldier: UFPJ is committed to providing major support to Iraq Veterans Against the War and its Winter Soldier hearings in Washington, DC, on Marc­h 13-16.
• ­March 19, Mass Nonviolent Direct Action in Washington, DC: UFPJ encourages people to be in Washington, DC, on March 19th to be part of what they hope will be the largest day of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience. (Click here for info about other 5th anniversary actions in DC.)
• March 19, Local Actions Throughout the Country: UFPJ encourages those who are not able to make it to Washington on March 19 to organize local actions tied to the protest in Washington.
3. Sign the No National Guard Troops to Iraq Petition to New Jersey Governor Corzine:

http://www.petitiononline.com/gardhome/petition.html

Letter writing tips: 

In your letter, use some (not all) of the talking points (see below). Two or three is a good number. Keep your letter short and to the point.

Good luck and hope to see you in print!

NJ Media Corps

Talking points: 

• Despite assurances the occupation will be over soon, the United States has been occupying Iraq for five years.  The war was started based on reasons that have been proven to be false. (Study: Bush, Other Officials Issued Hundreds of False Statements Before Iraq Invasion).
  
• Despite objections to building permanent bases, Bush did exactly that ('Enduring' Bases in Iraq: More Toys for the Pentagon's Sandbox).
• Bush said the "surge" would be temporary but the Pentagon is now saying it's permanent (Pentagon Releases Projections for Forces).
• The United States is spending 12 billion per month on Iraq. Our economy is in recession as the dollar rapidly devaluates.  Can we afford this borrowing? (Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz: Iraq war 'caused slowdown in the US' )
• Americans are asked to trade off necessary spending on our own country.  The last budget submitted by Bush contains draconian cuts to both Medicare and Medicaid (Bush's Budget Proposal Would Cut Medicare Spending).
• The GOP wants an open ended commitment to Iraq.  They won't say what conditions need to be met for the United States to leave.  The GOP's presumptive nominee for President, John McCain, said he sees no problem with a 100 year occupation. (McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me" )
• Despite reducing attacks in some areas, Iraq is still a violent place. January 2008 had one of the worst casualty records since the occupation started.  Hundreds of Iraqi people are killed every week and millions have fled the country (Iraq casualties rise again after Qaeda bombs; Iraqi Civilian Casualties Up 36 Percent).
• Even in the formerly peaceful Kurdish area, a war has broken out between Kurds and Turkey (Turkey rejects US push for Nth Iraq withdrawal).
• Veterans are uniting against the occupation.  On March 19th, major events will be held in Washington, DC by veterans (http://www.5yearstoomany.org/). Local events will also take place across the country.
  

Click Here to view published letters on this issue