Power to the People: Now is the Time

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Power to the People: Now is the Time

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Members of the WPJC going to Congressman Rick Larsen's Bellingham community office.  Four Days of protests are recorded in the attached photo set. 

Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) of the United States Congress has been too busy to respond straightforwardly in person to a few questions asked by the Whatcom [County] Peace & Justice Center in Bellingham, Washington, so the members are finally pressing the matter. The WPJC seeks direct, simple statements from Rep. Larsen describing his present, personal position about the Iraq War.

Please view the attached photographs.  Each has important descriptions of the event...

Day 4 of the present round of protests (I missed Day 3, during which 2 citizens were arrested - 4 total so far - after refusing to leave because once again, after weeks of trying to get him to do so, Congressman Rick Larsen (D - WA), refused to respond with a simple telephone call).

We are in the Bellingham office of United States Congressman Rick Larsen. He is not present. His aide today, seated behind the desk, is Mr. Tripp Williams, a young man who appears to be quite moved by what transpired. The protesters are reading the names, ranks, ages, location of death, dates of death, home towns & a few sentences describing what is known about the circumstances of death of United States soldiers in Iraq. Where available, portraits of the soldiers are printed on the sheets everyone is holding. Mention is being made of some deaths among U.S. contractors in Iraq, & of the deaths of Iraqi citizens. Six or more of the women in the office are also talking about their children who are presently serving in Iraq, or who have recently returned from serving there. Several of the people in the room have strong, long-term ties to soldiers who have been killed in Iraq. One woman is talking about a young soldier who, after returning, descended into depression & disorder & one evening said, "I am a murderer," & committed suicide the next day (No, he is not counted among the war dead). As the photographs show, there were ample tears - but not ample enough to get a response from the congressman.

Everyone stays in the office past closing time, till the police arrive. However, all leave peacefully with the officers, so no arrests are made. I must add that once again the Bellingham city police are decent, courteous &, as always, meticulously respectful.

Power to the people. Now is the time.

QUESTIONS REPEATEDLY PRESENTED TO REP. RICK LARSEN

1. What are the specific reasons that you did not sign the declaration of peace (See # 4 below)?

2. Are you supporting HR197 (no permanent military presence in Iraq)?

3. What is your definition of 'permanent,' as in permanent military bases in Iraq?

4. What are the specific reasons that you will not support the three resolutions on the Declaration of Peace (HR4232: Timetable for withdrawal; H.Con.Res.348: Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq; H.Con.Res.197: No permanent bases & shift from funding war to meeting human needs)?

5. Why do you keep funding the occupation of Iraq?

6. Have you voted 'No' on any military appropriation bill since 2001?

7. Will you support impeachment pf President Bush? If not, why?

8. Will you support a preemptive attack on Iran?

9. You often refer to the military objectives of the Iraq War. What, exactly, ARE those objectives?