CONSTITUENTS OCCUPY REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIL GOODE'S CHARLOTTESVILLE VA OFFICE IN PROTEST OF HIS REFUSAL TO OPPOSE WAR

CONSTITUENTS OCCUPY REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIL GOODE'S CHARLOTTESVILLE VA OFFICE IN PROTEST OF HIS REFUSAL TO OPPOSE NEW FUNDING FOR IRAQ WAR -- ARRESTS IMMINENT!

3:45 P.M. TODAY a group of concerned citizens are sitting in at Representative Virgil Goode's office, 104 S. 1st in Downtown Charlottesville demanding that he sign a pledge to stop funding the Iraq War. When the Representative's office closes at 4:30 three occupiers will refuse to leave and expect to be arrested.

BACKGROUD: Earlier this week, constituents submitted a document to Rep. Virgil Goode, requesting his signature on a pledge to vote AGAINST the Bush war budget. Today, the group arrived at his office to find that he had not given his commitment to vote "NO." At this
point, the group symbolically occupied the office, stating their intention to remain until he gives his pledge.

On February 5, President Bush submitted his war budget for 2007 and 2008 to Congress. He is seeking an additional $93 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for the period that ends on September 30 of this year, as well as another $142 billion for the coming year which runs from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.

"The vast majority of Goode's constituents are opposed to continued funding for this war and want the troops home now. He can no longer count on us sitting quietly by while he does nothing to stop it," said Jeff Winder, one of the event's organizers.

This action is in conjunction with dozens of similar events in cities across the country. For more information visit Voices for Creative Nonviolence www.vcnv.org