Veterans For Peace Launches
"Support and Defend the Constitution"
(Stop The Madness of George Bush)
WHEN: Thursday, January 25th, 2 p.m.
WHERE: U.S. Capitol Building, West Front Lawn, Washington D.C.
POC: Daniel Fearn, danielifearn@mac.com, (612) 529-9345
On Thursday, January 25 Veterans For Peace will kick off our Support and Defend the Constitution effort, to advocate for impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, force the President to follow the will of the people and Bring The Troops Home Now, stop illegal acts of the Bush administration such as unwarranted surveillance and torture and repeal laws that are in violation of the Constitution such as the Military Commissions Act. This VFP action will lead up to the January 27th Mobilization in Washington, DC to remind congress they were elected to end the war.
All veterans are welcomed to participate. The general public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
The goals of the action are to:
- To demand congress follow the will of the people, de-fund the war, use the money to Support Our Troops, Bring Them Home Now!
- To restate our oath of service as veterans to support and defend the Constitution.
- To remind Congress (House and Senate), that they took a similar oath, thus they have a responsibility to hold in check the powers of the Executive. Tell Congress they are a branch of our government, not an arm of the President.
- To invite veterans across the nation to unite with us in our effort to defend and support the Constitution by advocating for the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney.
- To highlight President Bush’s disregard for his oath of service and office, in contrast to VFP and other veterans' continued commitment to Support and Defend the Constitution.
We ask Chapters and members to organize a similar event any date from January 25 to February 19th, President’s Day. We would like as many events as possible on Jan 25th.
Event components:
- Reading of appropriate sections from Constitution.
- Retaking oath to Support and Defend the Constitution
- Review of Veterans For Peace charges for impeachment.
- Try to follow up with a visit to your local Congressional Representative or Senators
The event can be held almost anywhere. Locations with patriotic or governmental connections are preferable. Examples:
- The county court or government building near any soldiers' monument.
- Any memorial to military service - WW I monuments especially because that war was sold as a "war to end all wars".
- A military cemetery or the grave site of a military hero or other veteran.
- A historical site that relates to fidelity and service in someway.
- Any local elected official's office, but in particular offices belonging to the state's delegation to the U.S. Congress.
Whatever location is decided upon, it is important that it is obviously connected to service and sacrifice and that it is significant to the local community.
We ask that the program include the above components, however, please add and re-order as local matters suggest.
This event is not intended to be a protest. It is a declaration of our commitment to see justice and the rule of law prevail within our nation. Try to make it a festive and motivating occasion.
Suggested planning points:
- Talk to a group of friend veterans and other VFP members. Ask them if they would like to participate.
- Once you have a core group, decide on the location and secure it. Be sure to check and see if you need a permit to gather there.
- Inform local peace/anti-war organizations and publicize.
- Advise the Veterans For Peace Support and Defend organizer, Daniel Fearn
- Decide upon and secure support materials. (Support and Defend Cards, flyers, signs, etc.)
- If needed secure a sound system. Be sure to determine if an amplified sound permit is needed.
- Seven to ten days before the event, send a press release to local media.
- One to two days before the event send out another press release and try to do follow up phone calls.
