Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice
P.O. Box 3381, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Contact: David Swanson, 202-329-7847
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 11, 2007

The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice (CCPJ), a local affiliate of the 1300-member coalition United for Peace and Justice, issued a statement strongly objecting to President Bush's new proposal for Iraq and announcing plans to take part in a national march for peace in Washington, D.C., on January 27th.

"The President insulted our intelligence and endangered our grandchildren on Wednesday evening," said CCPJ board member David Swanson. "He connected Iraq to 9-11. He claimed that al Qaeda was 'still' active in Iraq, although terrorist activity in Iraq began with the U.S. occupation. He claimed that continuing the occupation amounts to supporting Iraqis, despite the fact that most Iraqis very strongly want the occupation to end. He claimed that the war is making Americans safer, contradicting his own intelligence services. And he said that his escalation would work because interference would not be tolerated, even while admitting that IED attacks and suicide bombings would continue. Have we heard enough? Do we not have a moral duty to compel Congress to end this war?"

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, 100 Charlottesville and area residents will pile into two buses and depart for Washington, D.C., to return 12 hours later having taken part in a massive march for peace being organized by a national coalition of over 1,300 organizations. Others will travel by car-pool, and some plan to stay in Washington for three days in order to take part in workshops and training sessions on the 28th and lobbying of Rep. Virgil Goode and Senators Jim Webb and John Warner on the 29th. Diverse individuals planning to take part are available for interviews.

CCPJ's announcement of the event reads as follows:

Join Us for a Massive March on Washington to tell the New Congress:
ACT NOW TO END THE WAR!
On election day, the voters delivered a dramatic, unmistakable mandate for
peace. Now it's time for action. On Jan. 27, 2007, help send a strong, clear
message to Congress and the Bush Administration: Bring the troops home now!

Reserve a seat on a bus from Charlottesville, and ride up and back in comfort
and good company: 434-296-2494, http://www.charlottesvillepeace.org [1]
Book your seats early, as payment must be received in advance, before a seat
can be reserved. Adults: $25; Students: $15. Those wishing to take part in
all three days can sign up at http://www.unitedforpeace.org [2]

Workshops on the 28th will address peace and impeachment.
Lobbying on the 29th will have two goals:
1.-No More Funding for This War;
2.-Investigations of the Justification for and Conduct of This War

The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice (CCPJ), located in Charlottesville, Virginia, promotes education and action for peace and justice. We encourage all citizens to take responsibility for the policies and decisions of our local, state and national governments. CCPJ's Board Members are: Bill Anderson, Ken Zelin, Sarah Lanzman, David Swanson, and Lorrie Delehanty.

http://www.charlottesvillepeace.org [3]