Now, before any irreversible steps are taken, is the time for us to speak out against any U.S./Israeli military attack on Iran.

We urge you to take part in this important effort:

1) Call-in and take action to ensure that your member of Congress knows there is strong opposition to military action against Iran in his or her district.

Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 or click here to look up the direct numbers for your representative's DC and local offices.

2) Ask your mayor to sign on to a resolution urging the Bush administration to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran. At least 36 mayors have already signed on -- now is the time to approach your mayor! For more information visit the Cities for Peace website.

3) Write letters to the editor of your local papers and call into local radio talk shows. Click here for a sample letter.

4) Sign the open letter to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama urging him to stand up for diplomacy.

5) You can organize a visible presence in a busy location in your town: a vigil, an afternoon of leafleting or tabling, a human billboard, etc. Be sure to pick a time and location that has a lot of pedestrian or vehicle traffic!

To find out what might be happening in your area, click here. If you plan an activity, please post it on the UFPJ calendar of actions.

A Joint Action Alert from United for Peace and Justice & Our Allies

For too long, the Democratic and Republican parties have allowed the president to embrace a reckless and devastating foreign policy. And with the majority of Americans now opposed to war-without-end in Iraq, it is time for that to change.

This summer, the Democratic and Republican parties have asked for public input on their party platforms and we in the progressive community must make our voices heard. Our elected leaders must listen to the will of the people and clearly state they will end the war in Iraq, seek diplomacy with Iran, and end the use of torture. We encourage Democrats and Republicans alike to enshrine these views in their party platforms, and we hope you'll join us. 

Win Without War - United for Peace & Justice - Peace Action - Cities for Peace
Backbone Campaign - Grassroots Netroots Alliance - Women's Action for New Directions

CALL PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER
AND MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION DIANE FINLEY

Tell them you want them to:
• immediately cease all deportation proceedings against US Iraq war resisters in Canada
• implement the motion adopted by the House of Commons on June 3rd, 2008 by creating a program that would allow US Iraq war resisters to apply for permanent resident status in Canada

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
613.992.4211 / 403.253.7990 (constituency office)
harper.s@parl.gc.ca

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley
613.996.4974 / 519.426.3400 (constituency office)
minister@cic.gc.ca / finled1@parl.gc.ca

For the latest details, please visit the War Resisters Support Campaign Canada website.

Also, sign Courage to Resist's new letter to Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, that urges them to "Please act immediately to implement the resolution to allow U.S. war resisters to stay in Canada, and cease deportation proceedings against Corey Glass."

It takes courage to say that you will not fight -- especially if you are a soldier. Large numbers are now refusing to serve: The GI Rights Hotline (877-447-4487) is currently receiving about 3,000 calls a month. As more members of the U.S. military step forward for peace, the peace movement must step forward to support them. Click here for information about war resisters and how you can support them.

In a little more than 4 months, the nation will choose a new president.

In that same amount of time, at least $40 billion will be spent on the war and occupation in Iraq. More U.S. servicepeople and many more Iraqis will die, while countless others are wounded. And in these coming months, we will probably hear less and less about what's happening in Iraq, as mainstream U.S. media outlets pull back on their coverage.

During the next few months, United for Peace and Justice will be hard at work making sure the voices and demands of the peace and justice movement are heard throughout the election season and beyond. The work we do now is laying the groundwork for the future, as well as relating to the dynamics of the elections themselves.

• If you agree that the voice of the anti-war movement must be heard during this critical election season ...

• If you agree that the anti-war movement needs to come out of this election season stronger than ever before ...

• If you agree that UFPJ can and must do this work ...

PLEASE MAKE THE MOST GENEROUS DONATION YOU CAN TODAY!

The House has approved a record-shattering $165 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This, of course, is not the outcome we would have liked. However, it is worth noting that 155 members of the House voted against the supplemental funding bill. That is the largest number of "no" votes on war funding so far. Since this may be the last House vote on funding until the November elections, this roll call vote gives us a good snapshot of where House members stand -- with the majority of the people who want to bring the troops home, or with the Bush administration.

Check out our new and improved Grassroots Action blog! 

The Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice, a UFPJ member group, posted this billboard at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Francis Street, where it will remain for a month, drawing local residents' attention to the enormous daily financial costs of the continuing occupation in Iraq. 

Click here for media coverage of this action and reports from other recent grassroots peace initiatives!