[News-releases] In Shadow of War, NOW Continues Urging Peace

NOW Press Office
202-628-8669 Rebecca Farmer, x 116
202-785-8576 (fax) 

In Shadow of War, NOW Continues Urging Peace

March 20, 2003

Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy 

As the Bush Administration wages war against Saddam Hussein, our hearts and
thoughts go out to all those who will suffer as a result of this attack.
Bush's tunnel vision is jeopardizing the women and men serving in the U.S.
military and millions of lives in Iraq, where more than half of the
population is children. 

Bush wants us to believe that the U.S. is united for war, but many millions
are united for peace here and around the world. In defiance of the U.N.,
Bush is acting as a renegade, arm-twisting our allies and disregarding
international law. How can we aspire to advance democracy around the world
if we can't practice it here at home? 

We may never know the true devastation of Bush's war on Iraq due to the
Administration's stranglehold on the U.S. media. Television news is helping
the Bush Administration obscure the carnage with bloodless video game-like
simulations of military strikes. The most horrific consequences of this war
will not be covered on the nightly news. 

The reality is that many lives will be lost, and an already-ravaged country
will be further destroyed. Bush's reckless mission has also endangered the
safety and stability of the U.S. and the world. 

NOW calls for the Bush Administration to end this unprovoked attack
immediately and to help restore the democratic principles he has
undermined. We also call on international leaders to join in working toward
peace and human rights around the world. As the drumbeat to stand behind
Bush in a time of war grows louder every day, it is more important than
ever to raise our voices for peace. 

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