News and Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2020
We call upon Iowans to join us in exhorting our political leaders to oppose the rush to a disastrous war with Iran. The United States has used its military reach into Iraq to assassinate a leader of Iran’s Qud Forces, an escalation of back and forth actions with Iran that amounts to an alarming declaration of war—without congressional authorization.
Regardless of how we got to this situation, the only way forward from this point must be de-escalation, exercising restraint, and engaging in diplomacy.
We ask citizens to join with us to:
Now is the time for concerned citizens to take action!
January 4, 2020
We call upon Iowans to join us in exhorting our political leaders to oppose the rush to a disastrous war with Iran. The United States has used its military reach into Iraq to assassinate a leader of Iran’s Qud Forces, an escalation of back and forth actions with Iran that amounts to an alarming declaration of war—without congressional authorization.
Regardless of how we got to this situation, the only way forward from this point must be de-escalation, exercising restraint, and engaging in diplomacy.
We ask citizens to join with us to:
- Insist that Congress defend and exercise its responsibility for oversight and for authorizing war. Call or write to Senators Grassley and Ernst. Tell Congress, “No War with Iran.” Urge them to act on bills HR 2354 and S 1039 that would ensure the president cannot take unilateral military action against Iran without congressional authorization. Ask them to ascertain what information about imminent attacks on the US and its armed forces justified the assassination.
- Persist in asking candidates for Senate and President to advocate for peace and reduced military actions, answering questions about foreign policy. One set of questions has been prepared by STAR*PAC and sent to the presidential candidates. Check out the questions on starpac.org. Attend candidate events and participate in the February Caucus process to introduce platform resolutions.
- Participate in public demonstrations opposing the rush to war. One such event was this Sunday morning, 11:00 a.m., at the NW Corner of E Grand & E 9th in Des Moines.
Now is the time for concerned citizens to take action!
- Patti McKee, Catholic Peace Ministry
- Bob Brammer, Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace
- Eloise Cranke, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Iowa Chapter
- Christine Anders and Kathleen McQuillen, Middle East Peace Education Coalition
- Janet Rosenbury, Plymouth UCC Peace Committee
- Tom Leffler, Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee (STAR*PAC)
- Mary Caponi, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Des Moines Branch