March 20, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

SIX LONG YEARS OF WAR!

     Six years ago yesterday, the Bush administration launched its 'Shock and Awe' assault on Iraq, thus beginning what has turned into one of the longest and most costly military engagements in U.S. history.

     We know what the war and occupation in Iraq has cost: more than one million Iraqis killed; five million Iraqis displaced from their homes; over 4,000 U.S. military troops killed and tens of thousands wounded; more than $600 billion of U.S. tax dollars spent; one of the oldest civilizations on earth brought to ruins. Six long years of a war that never should have happened, an imperial war based on lies and corporate greed. It is enough -- it is too much.

     Today, our hearts are heavy as we remember all who have died and suffered.   Our work is far from over, as the illegal and immoral  wars and occupations of both Iraq and Afghanistan continue.  Let us not forget the date of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan -- Oct. 7, 200l.  Seven years counting and escalating there.  Casualties mount as President Obama shifts troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, and increases attacks deeper into Pakistan.

     Peace activist, Cindy Sheehan, whose son, Casey, died 5 years ago in Iraq says: "It is our shame that we as a nation complacently sit by and allow the audacity of the atrocities of empire to continue in our names. Our demands must be the same with the Obama regime as it was with the Bush regime: Troops home completely and immediately." Not two years from now.  Not next year.  NOW!  NOW!  NOW!

     Where is the outrage?  Where is the protest?  Where are the numbers of people standing up and speaking out against wars and occupations?  Some once protested but are now silent.  Most have never protested, except talking back to their TV.  But justice and peace demands more, that we stand up and speak out publicly.  Challenge our fellow citizens to do the same.  To the dead, what difference does it matter if the bombs dropped were ordered by a Democratic or Republican U.S. administration?  Our silence is our shame.

     Wars and economic collapse are two sides of the same fraudulent coin brought to us by the military/industrial/banking complex.  The few get rich at the expenses of the many.  Enough!

     It's time to renew our commitment to justice and peace in Hawai'i and throughout the world.  It's time to reactivate our activism, or if we have never been an activist, it's time to become one.  The future depends on each one of us taking responsibility and joining together in a grassroots peoples' movement.  In all of our efforts for justice and peace, remember two important points: l.  stay committed to principled non-violence and 2. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

END ALL WARS!

 STOP ALL OCCUPATIONS!
NEVER GIVE UP!

1.  Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
 Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622.  Email ja@interpac.net  http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (March 20, 2009 - 392nd week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

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Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aINA.org