Code Pink
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CODEPINK: Women for Peace is a feminist anti-war group that started in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. It seeks "positive social change through creative protest, non-violent direct action, and community involvement."[1]
The name "Code Pink" itself is a play on the Bush Administration's Department of Homeland Security's color-coded alert system. In keeping with the name, participants at Code Pink events normally wear pink. While the group is initiated and led by women, men are welcome to participate at both the local and national level.
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[edit] History
CODEPINK began on October 2, 2002, on Gandhi's birthday, and in November they launched a 4-month vigil in front of the White House that culminated on March 8, International Women's Day, with a 10,000-person march.
In February 2003, just weeks before the invasion of Iraq, CODEPINK organized its first trip to Iraq, and then led 5 delegations there. These included a trip with parents who lost their children in Iraq, and a trip with parents of soldiers. They also brought a group of 6 Iraqi women to the U.S. to tour the country, and published a report about how the US occupation has affected the status of women. CODEPINK also put out a book called "Stop the Next War Now," which included essays by Nobel laureates, elected officials and journalists.
[edit] Ongoing activities
Every year on Mothers Day, CODEPINK organizes peace rallies. On Mother's Day 2006, Code Pink organized a 24-hour gathering in Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, which was attended and supported by activists such as Cindy Sheehan, Susan Sarandon and Patch Adams.[2] Code Pink has also organized vigils at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.. A Code Pink representative stated the purpose of the vigil was to gain increased veterans' benefits. A soldier in treatment at the facility accused them of displaying mock caskets".[3] , and others have questioned the label of "vigil" due to the displaying of signs such as "Maimed for Lies" and "Enlist Here and Die for Halliburton[4]
On their official website, Code Pink has listed allegations of U.S. war-crimes, and claimed thousands of civilians were killed in Fallujah in 2004 due to the actions of the U.S. military.[5] Along with other groups, they gave over $600,000 worth of supplies to the residents of Fallujah in 2004.
Code Pink encourages counter-recruitment in opposition to U.S. military recruitment in schools and at recruitment centers.[6]
[edit] Recent efforts
On September 21, 2006, Code Pink staged a peace march which blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. Code Pink received permits allowing them to march after the morning commute hours at 10:00am. Instead, the group began walking toward the center of the span as early as 7:30am. They left by 10:00am with no injuries or accidents reported.[7]
Code Pink was present at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on March 16, 2007. The hearing, chaired by Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), was called to investigate issues in the disclosure of the classified role of Valerie Plame. At this hearing, Code Pink activist Midge Potts, wearing a pink T-shirt on which was printed "Impeach Bush Now", was visible at the back of the room but in a straight line with the cameras on Plame.
On March 20, 2007, a Code Pink protester interrupted a $2.7 million Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Washington and was removed by security.[8]
On March 22, 2007 several Code Pink protestors were arrested outside the office of House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi after announcing their intent to take over the office. The protest was aimed at spotlighting Pelosi's majority party's inability to get war funding stopped. [9]
[edit] Notable members
- Medea Benjamin
- Jodie Evans
- Gael Murphy
- Midge Potts
- Cindy Sheehan
- Michael Moore
[edit] References
- ^ Code Pink: Women for Peace on the site of Global Exchange. Accessed 31 January 2007.
- ^ William Hughes, COMMENTARY: Code Pink Challenges White House, Baltimore Chronicle, May 15, 2006. Accessed online 17 October 2006.
- ^ 'Code Pink' protestors target Walter Reed Medical Center, Hannity & Colmes, Fox News, August 26, 2005. Accessed 28 June 2006
- ^ Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital, Marc Morano, CBS News, August 25, 2005. Accessed 6 February 2007
- ^ Families For Peace Delegation, Code Pink Website, accessed 03 July 2006
- ^ Home » Campaigns » Counter-Recruitment, Code Pink website, accessed 03 July 2006.
- ^ Code Pink's war protest jams bridge traffic, Marin Independent Journal, September 22, 2006. Accessed online 16 October 2006.
- ^ Clinton: 'It's Just Not Fair', The Hill, March 23, 2007. Accessed online 22 March 2007.
- ^ Anti-war protestors arrested at Pelosi's office, The Hill, March 22, 2007. Accessed online 22 March 2007.
[edit] External links
