Tag: Iran

44 Senators, including many Democrats, sign AIPAC letter to Obama against Iran negotiations

June 16th, 2012 · Posted by Occupy AIPAC!

A terrifying letter, signed by nearly half the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, pushing Obama toward war with Iran– and let’s see who is telling us about it.

MJ Rosenberg a few days ago:

AIPAC is still worried that there might be a breakthrough in the P5+1 negotiations with Iran. Accordingly, its staff drafted a letter to President Obama that will be circulated by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). Its goal is to have the entire Senate endorse the hardest possible line to kill the next round of negotiations which is slated to convene in Moscow next week.

The letter demands the following as “the absolute minimum steps” which Iran “must take immediately.”

Shutting down the Fordow facility

Freezing enrichment above 5%

Shipping all uranium enriched above 5% out of the country.

In return the AIPAC/Senate letter tells the President to offer NOTHING except the continuation of negotiations. In other words, AIPAC proposes a negotiating framework under which Iran makes tangible concessions in return for our agreeing to… more negotiations. Any easing of sanctions is specifically ruled out.

Category: Blogs - Tags: Iran, Mondoweiss

Gloria Steinem, Alice Walker and Eve Ensler join Israeli women to say: Iranians, We Love You

March 21st, 2012 · Posted by Occupy AIPAC!

Pink Tank

Alice Walker - We Will Not Bomb Your Country

On Tuesday, March 20, three powerful women—Gloria Steinem, Alice Walker and Eve Ensler—signed onto a statement drafted by CODEPINK opposing an attack on Iran. The petition implores three powerful American female politicians—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ambassador Susan Rice and First Lady Michelle Obama—to use their influence to push for diplomacy, not bombing, in our relations with Iran.

CODEPINK launched the petition online, on Twitter and Facebook, and in a matter of hours received thousands of signers. The petition launch date was significant: March 20^th marked the 9^th anniversary of the Iraq invasion, and on a happier note, the Iranian New Year, Norooz. This American petition was created at the request of an Israeli group, the Coalition of Women for Peace, who modeled their own petition after a call to action from a group of women inside Iran. The Israeli, Iranian and U.S. women plan to do more actions together to oppose war.

Category: Latest News - Tags: Alice Walker, Coalition of Women for Peace, Iran, petition

Live Report from Occupied AIPAC

March 6th, 2012 · Posted by Occupy AIPAC!

No War on Iran!

“Mic check! We are the 99%. War benefits the 1%. Don’t bomb Iran! Use diplomacy not bombs!”

Four Occupy AIPAC activists voices erupted yesterday inside the AIPAC conference when Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is pushing for a resolution which seeks to lower the threshold for the to US attack Iran, took the stage. An AIPAC delegate leaped over rows of chairs to pounce on the activists, choking one with his own tie. The People’s Microphone continued: “AIPAC wants war. We want peace.”

Today thousands of AIPAC delegates will lobby Congress pushing for military attack on Iran and more money for weapons to Israel. CODEPINK will be on the Hill too. In fact we’ve placed an ad in The Hill—the Washington newspaper read by Congress daily—with an open letter to Congress opposing AIPAC’s push for war on Iran. Thanks to everyone who donated to make this happen!

Join us in calling on Congress to use diplomacy, not bombs. Send a letter to your member of Congress today.

Like a mosquito in the ear of an elephant, this week we’ve succeeded in making a very loud and visible opposition to ongoing Israeli violations of human rights and international law, and opposing war on Iran. Watch key excerpts from the Occupy AIPAC Summit here, read the great news coverage, and see protest photos from Occupy AIPAC.

We remember what the drumbeat to the war on Iraq sounded like. The faint murmur is getting louder. We can’t afford another war. The time to act is now – please reach out to your member of Congress today! Put Peace with Iran on the table in Congress!

In Solidarity,
Occupy AIPAC activists from all over the US

PS: Don’t forget to contact your Congressperson today while we occupy the offices of those who are pushing for war!

Tweet this message.

Category: Latest News - Tags: Congress, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Iran, Mic Check

Press Conference at National Press Club on AIPAC and Israel’s Policy on Iran, followed by protest at White House

March 5th, 2012 · Posted by Occupy AIPAC!

For Immediate Release

Press Conference: 11am, Monday, March 5, 2012, Morrow Room, National Press Club, 529 14th Street, Washington, DC 20045
Protest: 12:30pm, White House (Pennsylvania Ave)

Washington, DC—Veteran, Iranian-American and interfaith groups will challenge The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its support for an Israeli attack on Iran in a press conference, at 11am, Monday, March 5, 2012 as President Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Conference and protest are timed to coincide with AIPAC’s annual conference, which has been laying the groundwork for a military confrontation with Iran.

Veterans for Peace National President Retired US Navy Commander Leah Bolger said, “Obama needs to talk sense to Netanyahu when he meets him on Monday.” Bolger emphasized that “we need the President to announce that he will not allow the United States to be drawn into war if Israel attacks Iran or provokes hostilities in some other way.”

Category: Press Releases - Tags: Iran, National Iranian American Council, press conference, Veterans for Peace, White House

All Out for NO WAR ON IRAN during AIPAC Convention

March 1st, 2012 · Posted by Occupy AIPAC!

No War On Iran!

The drumbeat for war will reach a fever pitch when AIPAC, with 10,000 attendees, holds its annual policy conference on March 4. The bellicose stance of keynote speaker Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will push our nation closer to a catastrophic war.

Come show that the American people demand “Diplomacy, Not War.” We’ll have an open mic, so if you have a personal story or message that you want to share about Iran, come prepared to speak your mind.

When: Sunday, March 4th, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Where: Mt. Vernon Place (corner of Massachusetts and 9th)

Take action now: sign this petition calling on President Obama to Take War With Iran “Off the Table”!

Category: Take Action - Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran