Foreign Policy In Focus Media Advisory

MEDIA ADVISORY

On the Eve of the Congressional Vote:
Civic Leaders and Experts Urge "No" Vote on Iraq War
Over 200 Protests Scheduled Nationwide

For Interviews or More Information, Contact Page Crosland at 822-5200 x272 or Martha Honey at 234-9382 x232

The congressional debate over war with Iraq has failed to reflect the level of opposition across the country. At a Thursday, October 10, luncheon press conference, prominent leaders representing broad constituencies--religious, academic, business, labor, military, diplomatic, legal, women, African American, Latino, and Iraqi-American--bring to Washington the public's opposition and raise hard questions about President Bush's rush to war. They echo the views of the many Americans who oppose the war, including those participating in more than 200 protests scheduled nationwide. In addition, 25 college newspaper editors and columnists will attend this press conference.

Featured Speakers:

Robert Borosage, co-director, Campaign for America's Future
Dennis Rivera, president, Local 1199SEIU, New York-Health & Human Services Union, AFL-CIO
Ben Cohen, co-founder, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and founder, TrueMajority
Ambassador Jonathan Dean, Union of Concerned Scientists (statement)
Anas (Andy) Shallal, Iraqi-American businessman
Olga Vives, action vice president, National Organization for Women
Bishop Felton May, Washington Episcopal Area, United Methodist Church
Linda Fuller, co-founder, Habitat for Humanity International
Ben McKean, Harvard University student
Barbara Ehrenreich, author of the best-selling book Nickel and Dimed

Other Prominent Speakers:

Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary, National Council of Churches
Captain Julia Dyckman (USN-Retired), Gulf War veteran and medical expert on Gulf War Syndrome
Jonathan Granoff, president, Global Security Institute
Richard Falk, professor of international law, Princeton University
Bill Fletcher, president, TransAfrica
Michael Klare, professor, Hampshire College and author, Resource Wars

Co-sponsors: Foreign Policy in Focus (a project of the Institute for Policy Studies and the Interhemispheric Resource Center); Middle East Research and Information Project; Fourth Freedom Forum; Global Exchange; National Organization for Women; Global Security Institute, National Council of Churches; Women's Action for New Directions; Physicians for Social Responsibility.