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[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] > Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 13:49:06 -0500 Reply-To: Sierra Club Press Releases< CE-SCNEWS-RELEASES@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> Sender: Sierra Club Press Releases< CE-SCNEWS-RELEASES@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> From: Allen Mattison <Allen.Mattison@sierraclub.org> Subject: "Win Without War" Urges Peace; Sierra Club Helps Launch Coalition X-To: ce-media-news@lists.sierraclub.org Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-asciiFor Immediate Release: December 11, 2002Sierra Club: Allen Mattison, 202-675-7903Win Without War: Nathan Naylor, 202-822-4780 ext. 219 Major Religious, Civic and Environmental Leaders LaunchNational Coalition Opposing Bush War PlanWin Without War ChallengesBush Preemption of Peace ProcessGroup to mobilize mainstream opposition & sustained protestsIf White House continues unilateral war build-up WASHINGTON - The Sierra Club and leaders of other influential civic,environmental and faith organizations today announced the creation of a newcoalition in support of a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the crisis inIraq. The new group, Win Without War, represents millions of Americans andseeks to prevent bloodshed and loss of life on all sides by slowing theBush Administration's apparent rush to war so that U.N. Arms Inspectorshave time to carry out their mission. Today's event followed a Win WithoutWar press conference with celebrities held yesterday in Hollywood, CA.Representatives from the National Council of Churches (NCC), the NAACP,National Organization for Women (NOW), Sierra Club, Working Assets andMoveOn.org lent support from their various organizations to the peaceeffort."By reducing our dependency on oil, the U.S. can increase our nationalsecurity and reduce the threat of war, as well as clean up our air and curbglobal warming," said Larry Fahn, Sierra Club Vice President. "Our countryhas the know-how to cut our dependence on oil by using energy efficiency,modern technology, and renewable power. Because war has dire environmentaland social impacts, the Sierra Club urges the U.S. to let the UnitedNations inspectors do their job so the parties can resolve the Iraq issuepeacefully.""An unprovoked military attack against Iraq would not be a just war,"stated Reverend Bob Edgar, NCC General Secretary. "Such a war would violatethe UN Charter, cause the deaths of many innocent people, and unleashforces of political extremism and terror.""The NAACP and millions of African-Americans who are uneasy about theproposed war with Iraq stand with Win Without War today," said Julian Bond,Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors. " The war against terrorism andsecurity on the domestic front are much more pressing issues for PresidentBush to address."Win Without War was founded on the conviction that security for Americansand U.S. allies abroad can be achieved through aggressive inspections,sustained monitoring programs and the dismantling of Iraqi weapons of massdestruction. Win Without War members pledge to broaden opposition to BushAdministration calls for a unilateral invasion of Iraq and vow to intensifythe protests that began this week in dozens of cities for as long asnecessary."George W. Bush's drive for war against Iraq may serve his politicalambition but it will not make our country more secure," said Terry O'Neill,NOW Membership Vice President. "Moreover, women would bedisproportionately affected by war against Iraq. As has happened duringprevious wars, funds will be diverted from education, health, welfare andother vitally needed social programs from an already downsized budget.Women will bear the greatest burden of any decrease in domestic spending inorder to finance this war.""We've seen an enormous concern from our members about the President'splans for war with Iraq," said Eli Pariser, International CampaignsDirector, MoveOn.org. "Many who have never been politically active nowfeel compelled to act. Especially worrisome is the Bush Administration'sapparent intent to obstruct or undermine the weapons inspectionsprocess-which is why our petition calling on the President to "Let theInspections Work" has been one of our fastest-growing campaigns ever.""The Bush administration's priorities are seriously reversed," said MelissaDaar, State Political Manager, Working Assets. "Instead of rushing to war,Bush should keep him promise to find bin Laden and let UN inspectors dotheir job."# # #- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roger Stroope Treat others not as you wish to, but as they wish to be... Austin College, Sherman Texas _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk