Countdown To Withdrawl

The Peace Coalition Of Brevard                                                                 

April 8, 2009

For Immediate Release                                              
Local Contact: Vicki Impoco 321-720-3520
Peace Coalition Of Brevard
Florida State Coordinator AFSC - EYES WIDE OPEN and COST OF WAR Exhibits

Will the Iraq War end in 1,000 Days?
The Peace Coalition Of Brevard Joins National Quaker Group - Picks 6th Anniversary of Baghdad’s Fall to Launch CountdownToWithdrawal.Org

Melbourne Florida - The Peace Coalition Of Brevard joins The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) to observe the sixth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad this week by participating in the launching of a national campaign to  hold President Obama to his pledge to remove all combat troops from Iraq by August 2010.

On Thursday, April 9, the AFSC will launch CountdownToWithdrawal.Org, which also can be reached via the AFSC’s website, www.afsc.org,  to track the troop departure from Iraq, counting down the next 1,000 days to the end of the occupation.   

“While we applaud President Obama’s desire to end the war, we believe all troops should come home as soon as possible,” says Mary Zerkel, national coordinator for the AFSC’s Cost of War Program.”By tracking the actual withdrawals on a weekly basis, we will both hold the President to his promise and help him do it.”

Each day, the latest figures on casualties, troop levels and resources in Iraq will be tracked at CountdownToWithdrawal.org.  Supporters also will be asked to contact members of Congress with a message about Obama’s plan, based on the following:

·         Stop It. Troop withdrawal is good, but almost three years is too long. Each day the conflict continues, U.S. troops and Iraqis die, and our government spends $720 million a day on the occupation of Iraq.

·         Fix It. The U.S. has both responsibilities and obligations in the aftermath of conflict. We support an Iraqi-led reconstruction.

·         Don’t Repeat It. We must learn from the tragedy of Iraq: No more wars based on lies and political expediency. Wars only result in massive suffering.

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

The Peace Coalition Of Brevard is a local organization that shares the values and mission of the AFSC.