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(Washington, August 6)-- Speaking to assembled reporters and crowds in Lafayette Square, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced, "I will continue to protest in the halls of Congress as we are protesting in front of the White House today... together, we will lift these economic sanctions against Iraq, once and for all." Civil Rights leader Reverend James Lawson agreed. "We're here because we know our nation has more to export than bombs and sanctions."

Joining the Reverend and Congressman, other speakers included Howard University's Johari Abdul-Malik, British MP George Galloway, and Greens Presidential candidate Ralph Nader. Over 1,500 D.C. area residents and activists from across the country braved the driving rain to mark the tenth anniversary of UN sanctions on Iraq. The gathering even attracted legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, who defied the elements with his spirited songs of peace and justice.

In a New York Times ad that ran days earlier, NBC's "West Wing" President Martin Sheen joined Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Noam Chomsky, Jose Ramos Horta, and dozens of other well-known entertainers, Nobel Peace Prize laureates and noted intellectuals declaring "10 years is enough...the economic sanctions not only do not work, they are killing innocent Iraqi children." The ad ended on the rallying cry, "LIFT THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON IRAQ NOW!" National Mobilization organizers, including the Washington Peace Center, helped make that message heard nationwide.

Following the weekend, direct action reinforced the message. Over 104 protesters led by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Rev. John Dear, and Rev. James Lawson were arrested at the gates of the White House. The rally and arrests received national attention, from CNN to the New York Times, helping define the tenth year of sanctions on Iraq as the colossal tragedy it is. Locally, rally participants were well-received by a Washington Post article ["Protesters Deride UN Sanctions," August 7] that declared: "the soggiest people in Washington [August 6] were also some of the most devoted."

Over 90 national organizations sponsored the weekend of events and are considering a second larger demonstration next Spring. National Mobilization organizer and Washington Peace Center Board Member Erik Gustafson summed up the upbeat spirit of the rain soaked crowds, "Next time it will be sunny and we'll have tens of thousands of demonstrators. This is only the beginning!" For details and updates, keep an eye on www.endthewar.org or contact the Washington Peace Center.

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