Hold a Veterans For Peace House Party to support our brave brothers and sisters who are speaking out against this illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq. You can learn more about the campaign on the IVAW homepage.
Winter Soldier is incredibly important and can bring to the American people stories from the people involved that they do not hear in the media. People are flying people in from Iraq and Afghanistan for the hearing, a documentary film is being made, the process will be webcast, mental health professionals will be hired to help, there are large housing expenses for 300 people, etc.
We would like to set a goal of $50,000 from Veterans For Peace. This is not that hard. If we have 50 house parties nationally that is $1000 from each. Get 20 people to give 50 bucks apiece and you have it! The goal for our chapter is $2000. We are hoping we can exceed our goal. All donations are tax deductible.
Ideally we would like to reach beyond just VFP circles to other progressive friends or friends of friends who may not be actively involved in marches and demonstrations but want to stop the war. And hence will part with a few bucks.
If you are interested in hosting a house party, please contact Nate Goldshlag, nateg@pobox.com. We have fliers, movies, and other resources for you to use!
Events are planned in the following cities!
Chapter 001 Maine 2/22 fundraiser
Chapter 009 Smedley Butler Brigade Boston already raised $6600, another fundraiser 2/9 hope for almost $10,000 total
Chapter 010 Albany, NY 2/17 fundraiser
Chapter 012 Houston, TX
Chapter 016 Washington D.C. 2/23
Chapter 032 Miami, FL, Fundraiser with Camillo Mejia
Chapter 039 NE Ohio
Chapter 045 Samantha Smith Chapter, No. Shore Massachusetts, 3/2 event
Chapter 051 Cazenovia, NY
Chapter 055 Santa Fe, NM 3/3 fundraiser
Chapter 062 New Hampshire, will try for 3/1 event
Chapter 071 Sonoma/Santa Rosa, CA
Chapter 093 Ypsilanti MI, Showing Winter Soldier 2/21
Chapter 105 Baltimore, MD
Chapter 115 Red Wing, MN
Chapter 119 Tampa, FL
Chapter 125 Atlanta, GA
Chapter 132 Corvallis OR House party, show Ground Truth
Chapter 134 Tacoma will raise $300 towards getting IVAW member to DC
Chapter 136 Central FL, 3/8 fundraiser
Chapter 138 Long Island NY, Event with Ann Wright on 2/21
Chapter 147 Saratoga Springs fundraiser 2/20
Chapter 152 Lehigh Valley PA, Will do it Feb 23 and 24
Chapter 915 Levittown PA, Working with IVAW
What is the Winter Soldier campaign?
This spring, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is revealing the reality of the U.S. occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. In what will be history's largest gathering of U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Iraqi and Afghan survivors, eyewitnesses will share their experiences in a public investigation called Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan.
Winter Soldiers, according to founding father Thomas Paine, are those who stand up for the soul of their country, even in its darkest hours. With this spirit in mind, IVAW members are standing up to make their experiences available to all who are concerned about the direction of our country.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time America has needed its Winter Soldiers. In 1971, over one hundred members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War gathered in Detroit to share their stories with America. Atrocities like the My Lai massacre had ignited popular opposition to the war, but political and military leaders insisted that such crimes were isolated exceptions. The members of VVAW knew differently.
Over three days in January, these soldiers testified on the systematic brutality they had seen visited upon the people of Vietnam.
Over thirty years later, we find ourselves faced with a new war. But the lies are the same. Once again, American troops are sinking into an increasingly bloody occupation. Once again, war crimes in places like Haditha, Fallujah, and Abu Ghraib have turned the public against the war. Once again, politicians and generals are blaming "a few bad apples" instead of examining the military policies that have destroyed Iraq and Afghanistan.
Once again, our country needs Winter Soldiers.
In March of 2008, Iraq Veterans Against the War will gather in our nation's capital to break the silence and hold our leaders accountable for these wars. We hope you'll join us, because ours is a story that every American needs to hear.Click here to sign a statement of support for Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan