We all know the U.S. economy's in bad shape, largely because of the war and occupation in Iraq.

So how's this for something to help the economy and lower the debt? Spend your stimulus check on peace! The sooner the war ends, the more money the nation saves. Not to mention the lives and futures of millions of people. So let's use the stimulus money to stop the war, bring all of the troops home and get the nation's budget back on track.

We invite you to spend your stimulus check, or some portion of it, on the one thing the Bush administration doesn't want you to invest in: Help strengthen the peace and justice movement! Click here for further details.

Check out our new and improved Grassroots Action blog! 

The Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice, a UFPJ member group, posted this billboard at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Francis Street, where it will remain for a month, drawing local residents' attention to the enormous daily financial costs of the continuing occupation in Iraq. 

Click here for media coverage of this action and reports from other recent grassroots peace initiatives!

Reports are still coming in, but it is clear that March 19th -- and this whole week of anti-war action -- was historic.

On Wednesday, the atmosphere out in the streets of our nation's capital was exhilarating. More than 1,000 people -- students, grannies, veterans, and more -- engaged in more than a dozen bold, creative, inspiring actions in downtown DC that disrupted business as usual. The protests made those who profit from war, and those who enable it, stop and take notice.

The energy in those activities was bolstered by the fact it was connected to more than 1,000 actions in all 50 states marking the 5th anniversary of the war and occupation in Iraq, and demanding that it be brought to an immediate end.

And all of this was preceded by 3 days of powerful testimony given by brave veterans of the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Winter Soldier hearings organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War. If you haven't already, we urge you to visit www.ivaw.org now to watch these historic proceedings online.

There's much more to say about all of these actions, so please do take a moment to read the many action reports that have already been posted on 5yearstoomany.org. (If you participated in an activity, please post a report and any photos or video you have as soon as possible.)

We looked to March 19 as a day to express our outrage and sadness at 5 years of incalculable devastation and to re-galvanize our movement for the work ahead in this critical year. Thousands of people across the country rose to that occasion and stepped forward to take action. Now we must carry that energy forward -- there is much work ahead of us.

Courage to Resist is urging people in the U.S. to sign their "Dear Canada: Let US War Resisters Stay" appeal, which will be sent to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley, and Stéphane Dion, Liberal Party. Click here to sign the appeal.

UFPJ is committed to supporting war resistance. Please do what you can to support this effort and other war resisters. Click here for more info and ways to take action.­

It takes courage to say that you will not fight -- especially if you are a soldier. As more members of the U.S. military step forward for peace, the peace movement must step forward to support them.

Large numbers are now refusing to serve: The GI Rights Hotline (800-394-9544) is currently receiving about 3,000 calls a month.