• NO Escalation in Iraq

• NO War with Iran

• NO More Funding for War

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD NOW!
We are at a critical time in our movement to end the war. Now is the time to build on the momentum of the November elections, the massive Jan. 27th march on Washington, the ongoing local work, the mistrial of Lt. Ehren Watada, and the vote on Tuesday by the Vermont state legislature to pass a resolution calling for the troops to come home. We are in the midst of a nationwide peace surge.

Over the next six weeks, we have new opportunities to help end this war, and UFPJ has a plan of action!

Below is more specific information on actions you can take now. Whether you are working with a group or taking action alone, everyone needs to be in motion. We have a long road ahead of us, but momentum is on our side!

Plan of Action From United for Peace and Justice -- Urgent Nationwide Campaign Unfolds in the Coming Weeks

1) TODAY, THURSDAY, FEB. 15TH -- CONGRESSIONAL CALL-IN DAY
Your member of Congress needs to hear from you TODAY, while the House is still debating H.Con.Res. 63. This measure will pass in the House and we can hardly get excited about a non-binding resolution. But, and this is a very important "but," United for Peace and Justice urges you to help make sure there is a VERY strong show of opposition to the Bush escalation plan. Last week the Senate discussion was hijacked by procedural maneuvers, so this Friday's vote will be the first Congressional statement of opposition to the President's escalation and could lay the foundation for stronger action in the coming weeks.

Keep in mind -- a strong rejection of the Bush administration's policies in Iraq could be an important step in helping to prevent the widening of the war into military action against Iran. The administration continues to throw out accusations against Iran, and we must take the threat of a new front in their war very seriously!

2) LET OUR VOICES BE COUNTED! NATIONAL PETITION CAMPAIGN
United for Peace and Justice initiated a campaign to collect signatures on a petition calling on Congress to use its power to end the war in Iraq and to prevent a war in Iran. We offer this petition as another tool -- a mechanism to send our message to Congress and a way to strengthen the local organizing work that is the heart and soul of the antiwar movement.

Take a moment right now to download the petition. Be sure to make copies before you start collecting signatures. And then go out to gather as many names as you can: Talk to your neighbors and the people you go to school with or work with; set up a table in a busy shopping area; bring the petition to your religious institutions, community groups, and professional organizations and unions. Imagine, we could get tens of thousands of signatures in just a few weeks if we try!

3) WELCOME YOUR REP BACK HOME! CONGRESSIONAL RECESS NEXT WEEK
This coming week Congress will be in recess, and most members will be in their home districts.

They need to hear from us! Let them know you want to talk. There may be a meeting already scheduled in your district that you can join. Or you can schedule your own meeting. Find local contact information for your representative here.

In addition to meetings, you might want to join -- or help organize -- vigils, pickets, rallies or other public activities outside the offices of your members of Congress. Depending on where your member stands on the war and what contact you have already had with her or him, you might also consider planning a nonviolent act of civil disobedience. The point is to make sure every member of Congress understands our message: We want the war to end, and we want them to use their power to end it!

4) OPPOSE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THE WAR
President Bush has sent Congress his request for an additional $93 billion for this war. Remember, that's on top of the over $360 billion already spent on a war that never should have happened! United for Peace and Justice is clear in our demand: Not one more dollar for this war. But it will not be easy to convince Congress to cut off the funding.

What is unfolding in Congress is a reminder of the role our movement must play. Our representatives must understand that non-binding resolutions don't cut it -- they have to stand up to the Bush administration and use their power to end the war and bring the troops home NOW! This means voting NO on the war supplemental.

In the coming weeks we will provide talking points and other organizing resources to help you do this work. Be sure to keep checking the UFPJ website for updates and information.

5) 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR IN IRAQ -- MARCH 19TH
With more and more people dying everyday, this anniversary is an important moment to make the cost of war visible and make our growing opposition known! United for Peace and Justice has issued a call for local, decentralized actions against the war in Iraq -- and against a new war in Iran -- in order to make sure our voices are heard. In many places local groups are already planning activities: rallies and marches, educational events, and nonviolent civil disobedience. These actions will include our focus on Congress, as well as continue to put pressure on the war machine by supporting GI resistance, opposing military recruitment efforts and disrupting war profiteers.

Check the calendar on the UFPJ website to find out what's being planned in your area, and be sure to list any activities you might be planning or helping to organize. It doesn't matter if your activity is on the exact date of the anniversary -- any actions around that time will be included in our listings. Let's make sure that every city and town in every corner of the country has activities demanding an end to the war in Iraq now!

If you have never done something like this before and want some help, get in touch with our national office at 212-868-5545.