Get inspired by local CODEPINK actions by viewing photos, report backs, news links, and YouTube videos below! To get the latest news about what CODEPINK is doing in Washington, DC, check out our Pink Tank Blog.
Portland Women Say NO to War! March 8, 2006CODEPINK Portland Portland, OR | ||
 |
||
   |
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: PORTLAND, WE DID IT! Congratulations, we did it!!! And we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to the amazing efforts of CODEPINK women and devoted peacemakers all over the world, we reached our goal of 100,000 signatures on the Women Say NO To War call. As of March 8, International Women's Day, there were 103,000 signers! And these 103,000 signatures were delivered to 2 of our congressional representatives from Oregon!! In the morning, members of CODEPINK Portland and CODEPINK Estacada delivered petitions to Rep. Darlene Hooley's office in West Linn, and reminded her staff that there is a lot more to do to end the war in Iraq! And later, 25 determined people (including 2 men!) braved the miserable Portland winter day (soaking wet, cold wind, it was a struggle to hang on to the banners and signs!) to speak for the women of the world on International Women's Day. After gathering with WILPF at Pioneer Square, holding LOTS of pink signs, and a beautiful pink flag, we began marching toward the Federal Building. We moved quickly because of the weather, but still were quite a sea of pink for the people of downtown Portland to behold! An Oregonian photographer had come to the Square to take photos, and when we told her what we were planning, she decided to come with us on our march. As we approached the federal building, our laughing, chanting bedraggled line of pink, we stopped in front of Terri Schrunk Park to regroup, take photos, and discuss our purpose in Senator Wyden's office: namely representing the 103,000 people who had signed the Urgent Call for Peace as of that morning. We also carried photos of some of the Iraqi women and young girls we were speaking for. 10-12 of us planned to go up to the office to deliver the petitions to the staff, and to make it clear that the war must end. As we crossed the street and approached the building, three security people emerged from Federal Building to meet us on the doorstep. They guessed immediately that we intended to see Senator Wyden, and said we could go up in groups of 5 with no signs or banners. The photographer even managed to get permission to take photos of our delegation inside. The first group left our belongings outside, gathered the petition and photos to carry upstairs, and proceeded into the building and through the security procedures. The remaining, waiting people were allowed to stand just outside the door with signs and slogan t-shirts. A security person came out to invite us in to use the restrooms if needed, but without signs and No Visible T-Shirt Slogans. To our surprise, upon entering the office and announcing that we had petitions to deliver, the receptionists invited us to have a seat in the conference room, and said someone would be in to talk to us in a moment! We didn't think anyone was actually going to sit down with us! Loretta Smith, the public relations person for Senator Wyden was very cordial and friendly, as were we. She got a little defensive when reminding us that the Senator "voted against the war" but we let her know that wasn't enough. Everyone got to say a few words about their perspective on the issue, and we discussed the importance of International Women's Day as well. After we left, the second group proceeded upstairs with more photos of Iraqi women to leave for the Senator. According to Martha and Marianne, the second group pushed the issues a little bit further. Martha: "We were polite, clear and reasoned, but also passionate, insistent and determined. We pointed out: the cost of the war - that his constituents are opposed to the war - we are looking for real leadership - and that the Democrats are losing people because they don't stand for anything." At the end of the day, we were wet, cold, tired, but uplifted and inspired, feeling that we had done our part for the women of the world, and spoke truth to power!! You can help us do more!! If we're going to end this war, and bring the troops home, we have to keep marching onward! Don't forget to sign the petition to Senator Wyden: http://www.petitiononline.com/wyden/petition.html keep checking http://www.codepinkportland.org/ for future activities! And THANK YOU to Rob Ranta (CODEPINK men's auxiliary in pink!) for taking pictures!! |
|
