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For Immediate Release
October, 05 2011, 11:14am EDT
Contact:
Michael T. McPhearson, National Coordinator, United For Peace and Justice
973 666-4605
michaelvfp@gmail.com
Veterans and Military Families to Mark Ten Years of U.S. War in Afghanistan
Call on U.S. Government to Heed MLK’s Warnings against Greed and Militarism
WASHINGTON
This Friday, October 7 at 1:45 p.m., veterans, military families, and activists, including members of Afghans For Peace, will mark ten years of U.S. war in Afghanistan, at the entrance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial.
"In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called our government the greatest purveyor of violence in the world. Ten years of war and the rapidly growing gap between rich and poor has resulted in the current economic crisis," said Michael McPhearson, Army veteran and National Coordinator of United For Peace and Justice. "These are the deadly results of ignoring Dr. Kings' warning."
Unprecedented job loss and debt burden have resulted in local and national government budget cuts producing massive layoffs of teachers, police, firefighters and medical personnel. Millions have lost their homes with millions more in foreclosure creating a spiraling job loss effect. The U.S. has spent nearly $460 billion on the war in Afghanistan and $800 billion on the continuing occupation of Iraq.
Lisa Fithian, Co-Convener of United for Peace and Justice said, "The last ten years have seen the United States embroiled in endless wars across the globe. The wars are in part responsible for the U.S. ballooning national debt and the sick economy leading to the highest unemployment since the great depression and the most people below the poverty line in the nation's history. Bolstered by the Arab Spring, Wisconsin workers, and the ongoing occupation of Wall Street, we will join in calling on our government for economic justice and peace."
Where: SW Independence Avenue and W Basin Dr. SW across from the D.C. War Memorial at the entrance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
When:October 7 at 1:45 pm
Who: Veterans, Military Families, Peace and Economic and Social Justice Activists
Visuals: Martin Luther King Memorial, Iraq and Afghan Vets, Afghan Civilians
United for Peace and Justice was founded, in 2003, to build a coalition of local and national peace and justice organizations to prevent the War on Iraq. The conflicts raging around the world today make it clear that the need to work for peace remains more important than ever. That is why UFPJ reorganized, in 2008, as a network and now operates with an all-volunteer Coordinating Committee, supported by one part-time staff member who assists with UFPJ action alerts, campaigns, and organizing. They meet weekly to manage the ongoing communication and administrative requirements of the network.
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