THE CITIZENS MUST ACT

We had 41 people turn up yesterday in Portland for the first of our two non-violence training sessions in preparation for our participation in the occupation project.

So far two affinity groups have been formed and maybe more are yet to be put together.

The training went quite well and there were several new folks there with us as we talked about the history of non-violent direct action, outlined the roles and responsibilities of affinity groups, role-played a congressional office occupation, and had a legal briefing from a volunteer lawyer. We do the whole thing again next week for a new group of people.

All the signs are leading to the fact that the public is becoming increasingly frustrated with the politics surrounding the occupation of Iraq and the impending U.S. attack on Iran. People are starting to understand that they are going to have to take active non-violent measures to stop this madness. Leaving it to the politicians just ain't gonna cut it.

The Nuremberg War Crime Tribunal, in 1950, released the following statement to the citizens of the world:

"Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience. Therefore [individual citizens] have the duty to violate domestic laws to prevent crimes against peace and humanity from occurring."

The occupation of Iraq and the continued funding of the occupation by Congress in my mind is a crime against peace and humanity. We must collectively act now as instructed by international and moral law.