PUBLIC CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE IN GAZA

January 11, 2009

Dear Tim,

Please join CODEPINK NYC as we bring our call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade to the U.S. Mission to the U.N. next week.

PUBLIC CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE IN GAZA
When: Tuesday, 13 January from 5:30 p.m.
Where: Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations
140 East 45th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues
Sponsored by CODEPINK NYC, UFPJ/NY, Peace Action/NY, American Friends Service Committee, World Without War, Center of Cultures and others
For the past two weeks, the 1.5 million men, women, and children of Gaza-the most densely populated place on earth-have been subjected to a massive air and ground assault by Israel, the single largest foreign recipient of American military aid. Over 800 people have died, and thousands more wounded. Food, fuel, and medical supplies to the territory have been blocked-even the UN and the Red Cross have suspended aid, as its workers come under Israeli fire. The world looks on as an entire population starves and suffers, as American-supplied weapons continue to rain fire -weapons financed as part of a $30 billion multi-year aid deal passed by Congress in 2007.

American taxpayers want their money to be used for peace, not war. Call your elected officials and ask them to let America join the rest of the civilized world in calling for an immediate ceasefire and end to the blockade of Gaza.

In addition to the weapons the U.S. provides, our government also uses its position on the U.N. Security to block censure of Israel's actions and to impede calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

There is no military solution to the current conflict in Gaza. Only an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza will make a diplomatic solution possible. Please join us in our action and calls to help stop the carnage in Gaza.

The manifestation of hope is action- see you in the streets!
Barbara, Dana, Eva-Lee, Jean, Nancy and the CODEPINK NYC team