Join thousands of women and men from all walks of life for this amazing women-led peace convergence.

When:         Saturday, March 8, 2003
                     11 a.m. - Peace Rally (see flyer for details)
                     1 p.m. - March to the White House
                     Join hands with peace activists in a circle of Peace around the White House

This action is being sponsored by NOW, CODE PINK for Peace, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, United for Peace & Justice, Unreasonable Women, Global Exchange, and Peace Action.

For more information and other scheduled activities during the week, view the flyer, visit the CODE PINK web site or contact Monica Martinez, NOW field organizer, at fieldorg@now.org or at (202) 628-8669 ext. 144

Background:

The National Organization for Women (NOW) condemns terrorism and supports pursuing known terrorists and bringing them to justice through appropriate legal channels, both nationally and internationally. Terrorism creates a climate of intolerance, hate, violence, and hopelessness, and it is only through the promotion of peace, equality and self-sufficiency that we can truly end such horrors.

NOW opposes the opportunistic use of the "war on terrorism" as an excuse for a war on Iraq and for the continuation of unilateral policies in violation of international law.

George W. Bush has not, in our opinion, made a case to the people of the United States for his planned war against Iraq. The United Nations, the only viable vehicle for the promotion of peace and international order, has decided to give the inspection process sufficient time to uncover and destroy any illegal weapons in Iraq. NOW encourages our government to cooperate with our international partners in resolving this conflict through the use of diplomacy and other non-military means.

A U.S. war against Iraq serves as a recruiting tool for more terrorists and actually makes us less safe at home. The Bush administration has thus far been unable to find Osama bin Laden, dismantle al Qaeda, or catch those responsible for the anthrax mailings. A war on Iraq will draw resources from that process and from increasing real security. The Bush administration is selling us a false sense of security through increased militarism. Real security includes a safe community, decent shelter, quality health care and education, and dignified work that pays a living wage.

The cost of a war in Iraq would do serious harm to an already faltering U. S. economy. Increased defense spending and large tax cuts have turned budget surpluses into deficits. Bush can only increase military spending at the expense of domestic social services—many of which assist women, people of color and low-income families, all struggling in these disastrous economic times. Every $100 billion spent on this war is three times what the federal government spends on K-12 education, or enough money to provide health care to all uninsured children in the U.S. for five years.

Feminists are deeply concerned about the impact of this war on women at home, our women and men in the military, and on the people of Iraq. The devastation of cities, towns, villages in Iraq, the loss of lives, the effect on the environment, on the infrastructure of Iraq and the region, and the threats of increased terrorist activities at home and abroad will be the only outcome of this senseless war. It is important that we let George W. Bush know that women stand against his reckless approach.

The National Organization for Women is asking feminists, activists, people of conscience to engage in the anti-war efforts, to join us in raising our voices by forming a peace circle and standing up for peace and justice on International Women's Day!