On Sunday, September 23rd from 1-3 pm Voices for Peace organized a mass mobilization to raise a common voice for an end to the war in Iraq. Over 1,000 people gathered at the Minnesota State capitol in a common outcry, “Peace! End the war in Iraq!”
The many organizations participating reflected a notably broader coalition of people working for peace and an end to the war in Iraq. Organizations participating in the rally included:
- Americans Against Escalation in Iraq
- Americans United for Change
- AFSCME Council 5
- Church in Society Ministry Team, MN
- United Methodist Church Conference
- Minnesota AFL-CIO
- Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council, AFL-CIO
- Catholic Charities’ Office for Social Justice
- Pax Christi Minnesota
- Progressive Majority
- Service Employees International Union/Minnesota State Council
- Sierra Club, North Star Chapter
- St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
- TakeAction Minnesota
- Wellstone Action
- Win Without War
Our own Julie Madden, Coordinator of the SJA Peace & Justice Ministries spoke at the rally and passionately declared:-
The vision we lift up today is a vision that sees our troops home and our bases in Iraq closed. It is a vision of a sovereign Iraq able to control and benefit from its own oil revenues. It is a vision of comprehensive care for US soldiers and their families. It is a vision that acknowledges and grieves for those Iraqis killed, wounded or made refugees by this war. It is a vision in which the US welcomes its share of those refugees. And finally our vision is one in which our America recommits itself to being a partner among nations and a leader in alleviating – not perpetuating – the suffering, violence and human rights abuses that plague our brothers and sisters in this country and around the world.
Commenting on the more than 17 different organizations represented at the Peace Rally, Julie later stated, “It was a good day – a new coalition of people, many of whom haven’t been present for other peace events, and that’s always heartening.”
We thank Julie for her continued leadership and commitment—she is indeed a true Sign of Peace and challenges us all to get involved in peace making!
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| Phil Klees, aka Dr. Phil, is a licensed psychologist with clinical expertise with adolescents, adults and, couples and families. He has been nomadic in his career working in Anchorage, AK, Little Rock, AR (shook Bill Clinton’s hand—YES!!!) and Miami, FL. Three years ago he returned to his home state of Minnesota. Phil has been emotionally connected to SJA for 20+ years and an official member since returning to Minneapolis. Phil can be contacted at psklees@yahoo.com.
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