Thank you!

No Justice, No Peace
US Out of the Middle East! 

A fantastic, energized and dedicated crowd marched on a beautiful warm, sunny Saturday this weekend. Hundreds came to march, and hundreds more saw and heard our message as we marched across Pioneer Courthouse Square and then right through the center of a bustling Saturday Market! Benji Lewis of IVAW, and Veterans for Peace led the march, while The No War Drum Corp, and several bullhorns made sure that everyone within earshot heard our chants: "They're Our Brothers, They're Our Sisters, We Support War Resisters," and "They Say Bail Out, We Say Troops Out!"

All day we received an incredibly positive reaction from everyone we passed, and then wrapped up the day with a very compelling, and moving afternoon in the middle of the Market, as we read the words of Dr. King, and heard from Iraq Vets, Iraqis, Afghanis and Palestinians about the pain and suffering of war and occupation. Thanks to all of the readers, some of whom participated with very little warning, for such a powerful event.

As Dr. King said "We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls 'enemy,' for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers [and sisters]." Thank you to all of our cosponsors and endorsers, and all the volunteers that helped us to do just that on Saturday.

The morning teach-in, Ending Occupation: From Iraq to Afghanistan to Palestine, was a success, as well. Thank you to all the presenters and over 70 participants that came to PSU to talk about the reasons to oppose war and occupation, and what we can do to move the fight forward in the new political era.

And a special thanks to Megan Brooker and Meredith Reese for taking point on organizing the teach-in, and to Gerry Condon and Nick Spring for traveling from Washington to be part of the Sanctuary City workshop, and to Zahra AlKabi and Wael Elasady for sharing their families' and their own experiences of war and occupation.

What's Next? 

Dr. King ended his speech by calling on us to "rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world." Please join PDX Peace in this struggle, as we have a lot more to do to ensure that we bring an immediate and complete end to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. 

PDX Peace Potluck - "What's Next for the Anti-War Movement?"

Saturday, April 18

Time and Location TBA

Join us for this potluck and strategy discussion. We have a lot of ideas in the works: the May Day march for workers and immigrants rights, support for Benji Lewis as he resists being recalled to the Marine Corps, an activist training series, a peace music festival.. we'd love to meet you, have your input and ideas on any of these, or your own ideas!

Please consider becoming a member of PDX Peace, joining our group on Facebook, or making a donation. Keep an eye on our event calendar, and we'll see you in the streets!

PDX Peace Out!