Peace Vigil and "Die-In" In Support of Lt. Watada Due to be Court Martialed 2/5

WATADA SUPPORT ACTIVITIES – SF BAY AREA


Bay Area Mobilization to Ft Lewis, WA for Feb. 5 court martial – contact: Ying at 510-559-8189 (1/29/07)
For more information: Grace – 510-459-7288 or supportwatada [at] hotmail.com

Thu. 2/1 Peace Vigil and “Die-In”
11:15 am GATHERING at SF Japantown Peace Plaza (Post & Buchannan)
11:30 am PROCESSION from Peace Plaza to First Unitarian Universalist Church
(1187 Franklin at Geary)
11:45 am Procession from First Unitarian Universalist Church to
SF Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Ave.)
Noon-1 pm SILENT PEACE VIGIL
(sponsors include by Watada Support Committee, APIs Resists!, Declaration of Peace, First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, American Friends Service Committee, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Episcopal Peace Fellowship and San Francisco Friends Meeting)
1:00 pm "DIE-IN" Program & civil disobedience action
(sponsors include Declaration of Peace, First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, the Watada Support Committee and APIs Resist!)

In remembrance of the over 3000 US troops and over 650,000 Iraqis who have died during the Iraq War and Occupation, participants will lie down blocking the Federal Building doors and cover themselves with white sheets in lieu of shrouds with the message: “No business as usual while the killing and dying continue in Iraq.”
PLEASE JOIN US! The public is invited to join the die-in or bear witness and support those willing to commit civil disobedience. People will not risk arrest by joining in the Peace Vigil or supporting those willing to support civil disobedience. Contact: Grace Shimizu

Dear folks:

At Bush's State of the Union address, we were again reminded that Bush's new strategy in Iraq is the same old strategy...."all Bush is saying is give WAR a chance"....

Well, Watada supporters in the SF Bay Area and other parts of the country responded by saying: "Bush LIed/Out of Iraq Now", "Support Lt. Watada/Refuse Illegal War" ,"Occupation is a Crime! Lt. Watada Should Do No Time!" , "Thank you Lt. Watada/ We Stand with you"

In the SF Bay Area, we had a very successful weekend of events with Carolyn Ho.....an inspiring boost to our visibility campaign as we build-up to Ehren's court martial hearing on Feb 5. Thank you, Carolyn!! We reached many hundreds, many thousands (million??) of people through the extensive media coverage, rallies, film screenings, church services and community gatherings. How exhilarating to see diverse individuals come together because we have common interests and hopes for the future of our families and communities. And how encouraging to see the quick identification with and embracing of Ehren and what he stands for.

As you know, these next two weeks are critical to get the news out about Ehren and the issues he is raising. It's become clear that his court-martial will be a kangaroo court and these next two weeks may be his last days of freedom. NOW is the time for all of us to do whatever we can to bring Lt. Ehren Watada and his court-martial to public and media attention.

In the SF Bay Area we have a great line-up of activities to keep Ehren's case in the public eye and to expand our base of support. We ask that you participate in one or more of these activities and bring your friends, family and co-workers. We welcome supporters from other cities to join us and to organize activities in your area.

Attached is our latest calendar of Watada support activities in the SF-Bay Area (Feb 1-7).
We encourage you get out to support the Feb. 1 Peace Vigil and "Die-In" , the Feb. 4 Support Rally, the Feb. 5 Support event, and the vigils on Feb. 5-7.
Please bring your buttons, banners, signs. Let's get VISIBLE.

Thank you for your kind consideration and ongoing support.
Please take care.
Grace Shimizu
510-459-7288