34 arrested at Declaration of Peace Action in DC

[reynaud]

On Thursday September 30, 2006 34 people were arrested at the White house whlle observing the Declaration of Peace Action in Washington D.C.

The following is an account of 3 Roman Catholic Peace Activists, members of Pax Christi USA, the national section of the International Catholic Peace Movement who were arrested for acts of civil disobedience.

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Today, at approximately 1pm, Pax Christi USA Executive Director Dave Robinson and Pax Christi USA Policy Director Jean Stokan were arrested as part of the Declaration of Peace action at the White House. September 21-28 is Declaration of Peace Action Week
Date line WASHINGTON DC -

Dave Robinson, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, with PCUSA Policy Director Jean Stokan and PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Fr. Joe Nangle, was arrested today at the opening action of the Declaration of Peace's week of action in Washington DC. Robinson, Stokan, and Nangle were arrested as part of a delegation of approximately 30 people which attempted to deliver a letter to President George W. Bush demanding that the troops in Iraq be brought home now. The arrests occurred outside the White House.
"For three and half years the US occupation of Iraq has wreaked havoc and death upon our sisters and brothers, leading to disintegration and now nearly 3000 civilian deaths each month," Robinson stated prior to the action. "This sinful war, prosecuted on a foundation of lies and manipulations, has taken the lives and limbs of thousands of US soldiers and rendered our nation a pariah in the international community. This must end and it must end now."
Pax Christi USA is an endorser of the Declaration of Peace and Pax Christi USA members are encouraged to participate in this week of action as they are able. More information on resources, news, and ways to be involved are available at the Declaration of Peace Web site, http://declarati onofpeace.org.

The following statement was issued to the press just prior to the action outside the White House on September 21, 2006.
For three and half years the US occupation of Iraq has wreaked havoc and death upon our sisters and brothers, leading to disintegration and now nearly 3000 civilian deaths each month. This sinful war, prosecuted on a foundation of lies and manipulations, has taken the lives and limbs of thousands of US soldiers and rendered our nation a pariah in the international community. This must end and it must end now.

Today I join with other leaders in the quest for peace with justice as we attempt to deliver an unequivocal message to President George Bush—Bring the Troops Home Now and Leave No Bases Behind! The violence in Iraq continues without any sign of hope despite the distorted assessments and outright deceptions that continually flow from this Administration. Even as the violence grows, the Bush Administration moves inexorably forward with construction of large scale permanent military bases in Iraq, clearly indicating that the US intends to remain in control of that nation, its people and particularly its rich resources for decades to come. We reject this colonization of Iraq and we reject any claim that a long-term US military presence will offer anything but more of the same death, destruction, dehumanization and domination that the presence of US forces have resulted in to date.

On Sunday I checked the Declaration for Peace Web site and got the following update on the 34 arrested. Go to: declarationofpeace.org/published/declare-peace-at-indian-island-washington for information.

Peace