[Chicago] Anti Iran War protest action on July 21

Sun Jul 20 02:50:25 EDT 2008

Please join the No War On Iran Coalition     
--In an unconventional protest action on Monday, July 21

UFPJ has put out a national call for local actions on the theme No War With Iran, to be coordinated with a Monday, July 21 lobbying day in DC under the leadership of Peace Action. The call is directed to "friends" as well as to UFPJ member groups. There will likely also be a DC demo targeting the Conference of Christians United for Peace in DC, and other actions in DC.
Local groups are asked to launch their own actions within the window Saturday, July 19 through Monday, July 21. We know already of actions in development for California, Wisconsin, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Calolina, and of course DC. There will also be a coordinated national press campaign.

The No War On Iran Coalition of the Chicago Area (not a UFPJ member group) has decided to do a Freeze-in. 

This is modeled after an action conducted in NYC's Grand Central Station last anniversary of the war. Participants enter a busy public space in a random manner, then at a predetermined moment, they freeze in place for 5 minutes. This creates a wierd tableau which gathers attention. We will be wearing Coalition T-shirts, which will lead viewers to understand the reason for the scene they were witnessing. After a couple minutes individuals not "freezing" will begin handing out leaflets. There will be no conventional demonstration, such as placards, banners, chants, etc.
       The location of the Freeze-in is the Crown Fountain in Millenium Park. This is the shallow wading rectangle with video towers at either end. Most of us will have our shoes off and be in the fountain.
       The Freeze-in will commence at 5:45 pm.
       The leaflet hasn't yet been written, but along with the usual information and promptings, people will be
 asked to contact their aldermen in support of the No War On Iran Resolution expected to come up in the City Council about a week later. 
       We're looking to have up to 25 "Freezers," as well as others to leaflet and show support. Once we have enough volunteers, then either a meeting or conference call will take place, to "rehearse."

Please note that this isn't a demonstration in the usual sense. There should be no signs or banners -- and no t-shirts with any message other than Iran. We'll be handing out Iran t-shirts as long as they last, and after that we'll have 8-1/2 x 11 papers with NO WAR ON IRAN to be pinned to shirt backs.
We'll meet up at the Bean in Millenium Park at 5:30 to 5:45, have a briefing, then proceed to the fountain.

Please put the word out. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Tony Shafton at ashafton at aol.com or (219) 939-2050.

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Here is UFPJ's Call to Action on Iran for Jul 19-21:
Please forward widely.

NO WAR WITH IRAN
CALL TO ACTION JULY 19-21

Responding to the renewed threats of a U.S./Israeli attack on Iran before President Bush leaves office, United for Peace and Justice calls for coordinated Days of Action across the United States on July 19-21. Now is the time to speak out against any U.S./Israeli military attack on Iran.

U.S. officials say Israel is mounting a "full court press" to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex, CBS News reports. In The New Yorker, Seymour Hersh reports that congressional leaders agreed last year to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran. New York Newsday and the Seattle-Post Intelligencer warn that Congress is considering a resolution promoted by AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) that would effectively endorse a naval blockade of Iran, an act of war.

Voices in the U.S. calling for real diplomacy and negotiations with Iran are being silenced. Few people in this country know Iran has an offer on the table for comprehensive negotiations with the United States that could resolve the nuclear stand-off and other issues. Nor do they know that talks with Iran without preconditions are supported by independent experts like Thomas Pickering, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN during the first Bush administration.

- To counter the renewed threats of military action, we are calling for National Days of Coordinated Action against war with Iran on July 19-21, including:
- call-ins and letter-writing to Washington and local congressional offices;
- lobbying in Washington and at local congressional offices;
- demonstrations at congressional offices, federal buildings, Israeli consulates or other sites chosen by local organizers (check our calendar in the coming days for details about events near you).

Click here to list your organization's national or local event as part of these National Days of Action (please be sure to choose "No War on Iran" as your event type).

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Averting a War with Iran: Research and Resources

UFPJ:
The Time to Stop a War on Iran Is NOW!
o Various actions people/groups can take to prevent a war with Iran
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=98
NIAC:
o Update: Is a New Congressional Resolution Declaring War with Iran?
http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1141&Itemid=2
o Gallup poll confirms majority of Americans favor diplomacy with Iran
http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1133&Itemid=2
CASMII:
o Iranians Float an Offer the West Should Not Refuse: Will Anti-War Forces Seize this Opportunity?
http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/5456
o U.S. Mayors Mobilizing Against a War with Iran
http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/5449
PSR:
o Medical Consequences of a Nuclear Attack on Iran-Fact Sheet
http://psr.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=security_main_iranfactsheet
o War Is Not the Answer with Iran
http://psr.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=NoWarOnIran
Iran Nuclear Watch
o Links, blogs, and informative articles
http://irannuclearwatch.blogspot.com/
The Center for Arms Control and Nuclear Non-Proliferation
o Background on Iran-US nuclear relationship
o Iran's nuclear timeline
o Their policy statement on Iran's nuclear issue
o Center for a New American Security, "Diplomatic Strategies for Dealing with Iran: Where Are We? How Did We Get to This Point? And What Should We Do Now?" released March 2008
http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/policy/iran/
Peace Action
o National campaign to prevent a war with Iran
http://www.peace-action.org/Iran/campaigns/current.htm?petition_KEY=358
o Fact Sheet on Iran
http://www.peace-action.org/Iran/campaigns/Iran_Fact_New.pdf
o History of US interactions with Iran
http://www.peace-action.org/Iran/campaigns/current.htm?petition_KEY=358
o Media
http://www.peace-action.org/Iran/media/media.htm
Iran Coverage
o Tehran's reaction to Military Threats
http://irancoverage.com/2008/06/29/tehran-reaction-to-military-threats/
Scott Ritter
o Iraq Will Have to Wait: Get Ready for the War Against Iran
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=RIT20070930&articleId=6937
William Polk
o Moves toward War with Iran: How to Prevent War ... Part 4
http://hnn.us/articles/31522.html