THE OCCUPATION PROJECT

Voices for Creative Nonviolence has initiated a campaign of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience to
end the Iraq war. For a period of eight weeks, beginning February 5, 2007, activists around the US will
engage in nonviolent civil disobedience at the offices of Representatives and Senators who do not
publicly pledge to vote against additional war funding. On February 5, 2003, is the date of Colin
Powell’s infamous 2003 speech to the UN justifying the US invasion of Iraq. 8th Day Center is an
endorser of the Occupation Project. For more info on this project, visit
http://www.vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project

BACKGROUND
Sometime in February, President Bush will once again submit an “emergency supplemental” spending
bill to Congress seeking $100 Billion to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the so-called
Global War on Terror. While continuing to fund the war, the US still abdicates its responsibility to
provide funds for the rebuilding of Iraq following 15 years of economic and military warfare.

Many in Congress argue that it is necessary to purchase new equipment, weapons and ammunition so
that US soldiers in Iraq aren’t left without the necessary material to defend themselves. This is a
specious argument and without merit.

When Congress appropriates money for procurement, it always authorizes use of the funds for up to
three years into the future. The reason? It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years from the time money is
appropriated, to the time contracts are signed to produce the material, to the time the equipment is
produced, to the time it is at long last in the field and in the hands of soldiers. So, the materials
congresspersons say they must approve will not reach soldiers until 2008, 2009 or 2010.

For more info Iraq War Spending see
http://www.vcnv.org/brother-can-you-spare-a-dime-iraq-war-spending-in-fiscal-year-2007

It is abundantly clear that the overwhelming majority of people in this country oppose this war. The
overwhelming majority of U.S. troops in Iraq see no purpose in being there. And the overwhelming
majority of Iraqis want the US to leave. What reason can possibly be given to continue the war in and
occupation of Iraq?

ACTIONS
1. Become involved with the occupation project. Contact Voices for Creative Nonviolence at
773-878-3815 occupationproject@vcnv.org

2. Contact your Senators and Representative (see Sample Letter below)

a.  Fax – Then Mail – Your Letter
Write your Senators / Representatives. When possible, you should fax rather than mail your letter.
There is still a lengthy delay in the processing of letters once they reach the mail room of Congress.
Then, after faxing your letter, mail the original to your Representative or Senator. To find contact info
for your Representative / Senators, enter your address at http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

b. Follow-up with a Phone Call
Within a day or two of faxing your letter, follow-up with a phone call to the Representative or Senator’s
office. Emphasize that you expect them to vote against the 2007 supplemental spending bill for the Iraq
war.

c. Let Voices Know If Your Senators/representative Pledge to Vote Against War Funding.
Contact Voices via at occupationproject@vcnv.org  or  773-878-3815.

3. Forward this Bulletin to others.

4. Download the leaflet form of this Bulletin, make copies and distribute them as widely as possible.
See http://www.8thdaycenter.org/resources/leaflets.html
 
SAMPLE LETTER TO REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATORS

Dear Representative ________ / Senator _____________

In February, President Bush is expected to submit a “supplemental” funding request to continue the war
in Iraq. The Associated Press reports that the request will be for nearly $100 billion, which will bring
war spending to $170 billion for this fiscal year alone.

I urge you to publicly pledge to vote against this supplemental spending request.

The argument is made that it is necessary to purchase new equipment, weapons and ammunition so that
soldiers in Iraq aren’t left without the necessary material to defend themselves. This is a specious
argument and without merit.

When Congress appropriates money for procurement, it always authorizes use of the funds for up to
three years into the future. The reason? It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years from the time money is
appropriated, to the time contracts are signed to produce the material, to the time the equipment is
produced, to the time it is at long last in the field and in the hands of soldiers.

So, Senator ______/ Representative _______, the monies you are being asked to approve will not
reach the soldiers until 2008, 2009 or 2010.

It is abundantly clear that the overwhelming majority of people in this country oppose this war; the
overwhelming majority of U.S. troops in Iraq see no purpose in being there; and the overwhelming
majority of Iraqis want us to leave. What reason can possibly be given to continue the war in and
occupation of Iraq?

We are all complicit in this illegal war. We look forward to having you join us in putting an end to it so
we can finally go about rebuilding the damage we have done in Iraq, assuring the health and welfare of
returning veterans, and providing for the many real needs we have here at home.

Most Sincerely,