DON'T BOMB IRAQ

DON'T BOMB IRAQ
REMEMBER THE AMARIYAH SHELTER

We come to the White House today in the spirit of peace and nonviolence, imploring the Clinton Administration to end its threat of bombing Iraq. The Pentagon is poised to bomb Iraq and demonstrate its new advanced weaponry. Some officials have openly stated that tactical nuclear weapons could be used. Attacking Iraq will result in the murder of countless civilians. Such a bombing could lead to a regional and even a world war.

We believe that if the US bombs Iraq it will commit an act of premeditated mass murder. Such an action is a sin against God and a war crime under international law. We are unequivocally opposed to any use of force to resolve international conflict. We support nonviolent, diplomatic solutions to conflict instead of military ones. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., we must choose either nonviolence or nonexistence.

Seven years ago today, in the early morning hours. the US dropped two bombs on the Amariyah shelter. Close to 1,500 civilians were killed, mostly women and children. We come here on the anniversary of this atrocious event to protest this bombing, and many other acts of mass murder committed by the US during the Gulf War.

We oppose the existence of all weapons of mass destruction in the US, Iraq, Israel, and around the world. We call for the disarmament and elimination of all weapons of mass destruction everywhere. It is hypocritical for the US the world's leading nuclear superpower and arms dealer, to demand that Iraq eliminate its weapons while refusing to disarm its own lethal arsenal. Let us not forget that the US dropped 88,000 tons of bombs on Iraq in 1991, killing over 150,000 civilians. The effects of the US use of over 300 tons of toxic radioactive "depleted uranium" weapons are still claiming Iraqi lives.

Since the end of "Desert Storm" the US war against Iraq has continued in the form of economic sanctions. Over the last seven years, more than 1 million Iraqis, including some 700,000 children, have died as a result of the UN/US sanctions. We beg, end the sanctions now.

Sisters and brothers, let us avert the prospect of further needless suffering by committing ourselves to the way of nonviolence and peacemaking. Now is the time to make peace with Iraq. In the name of God, don't bomb Iraq!

For more information, call the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker (202) 882 - 9649

Don't Bomb Iraq.

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