Code Pink

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Code Pink: Women for Peace

Code Pink activists demonstrate in front of the White House on July 4, 2006.

Code Pink activists demonstrate in front of the White House on July 4, 2006.
Formation November 17, 2002
Type NGO
Purpose Anti-war, social justice
Region served
 United States of America
Key people
 Jodie Evans, Medea Benjamin
Website www.codepink4peace.org

Code Pink: Women for Peace is a left-wing NGO that describes itself as a "grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S.-funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, and to redirect our resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities". It is primarily focused on anti-war issues, but has also taken positions on gun control, social justice, Palestinian statehood, green jobs and health care issues. The organization advertises itself as women-initiated and mainly composed of women, and has been characterized as being left-wing.[1][2] It has regional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and many more chapters in the U.S. as well as several in other countries.[3][4]

With members wearing the group's signature pink color,[5] Code Pink has conducted marches, protests, and high-visibility publicity stunts in order to promote its goals. Although women initiated and lead the group, Code Pink allows men to participate in its activities.[6]

History

Code Pink was founded on November 17, 2002 by Jodie Evans, Medea Benjamin and other activists.[4] The group's name is a play on the United States Department of Homeland Security's color-coded alert system in which, for example, Code Orange and Code Red signify the highest levels of danger.[7]

In February 2003, just weeks before the invasion of Iraq, Code Pink organized its first trip to that nation, and subsequently led five delegations there. These delegations included parents who had lost their children in Iraq, and parents of active soldiers. Additionally, they brought six Iraqi women on a tour of the United States, and published a report about how the U.S. occupation affected the status of Iraqi women.[8]

On its website, Code Pink lists allegations of U.S. war crimes, and states that thousands of civilians were killed in Fallujah in 2004 due to the actions of the U.S. military.[9] Along with other groups, they gave over $600,000 worth of humanitarian aid to refugees of Fallujah in 2004.[10]

Activities

Code Pink protesting against Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his campaign to get elected as the Governor of California.
Protest by Code Pink against Ahava in Los Angeles, California in July 2009.
Marching in 2004.

Ongoing protest rallies

Code Pink often uses intrusive, political street theater to publicize its positions. Favored methods include the use of puppets, effigies, over-sized heads, and fake blood, according to John J. Tierney in a publication of the conservative think tank, Capital Research Center.[39] Their most recent intrusion was during the CSPAN live coverage of the pre-hearing for the nomination of John Brennan as CIA Director, February 7, 2013, where Code Pink activists were escorted from the hearing.

Code Pink organizes annual rallies on Mothers Day and St. Valentine's Day. 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 Cindy Sheehan, Susan Sarandon and Patch Adams.[40] For Valentine's Day they organize kiss-ins in which members are encouraged to assemble outside military recruitment centers and kiss, as well as hold up banners with slogans such as "Make out, not war!" and "Love the troops, Hate the War."[41] Members are also asked to hand out flyers that according to the Code Pink website, "...claim that recruiters tell potential recruits their chance of being sent to a combat zone is slim" and that "almost all recruits will be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan."[42]

Co-founder Medea Benjamin wrote in The Huffington Post that the United States never had any "justification for invading Iraq", that there is no "justification for continuing the war in Afghanistan", and that in Pakistan, the U.S. "drone attacks are only fueling the violence and creating more Osama Bin Ladens." Regarding the killing of bin Laden, she says "Let us not sink into a false sense of triumphalism in the wake of Bin Laden's passing."[43]

Demonstrations at Walter Reed Medical Center

Code Pink has also organized vigils at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The group has been criticized for actions at the vigils: the criticism has centered on tactics such as displaying coffins and chanting aggressive slogans. Speaking about the display of coffins, Kevin Pannell, an amputee and former patient at the hospital, said it "was probably the most distasteful thing I had ever seen. Ever. We went by there one day and I drove by and [the anti-war protesters] had a bunch of flag-draped coffins laid out on the sidewalk. You know that 95 percent of the guys in the hospital bed lost guys whenever they got hurt and survivors' guilt is the worst thing you can deal with."[44] To those that faulted aggressive chants and signs, Code Pink responded that certain of the disruptive protesters were not part of their group and that they have asked these protesters to be respectful.[45] Code Pink says that the purpose of the vigils is to highlight the lack of care for veterans and claims that the vigils have helped spur improvements in that care.[45][46]

Protest during Plame hearing

In March 2007, there were U.S. Senate hearings about the disclosure of the classified role of Valerie Plame Wilson. During the hearings, a Code Pink activist, Midge Potts, constantly maneuvered to be in the camera views of the witness. Potts wore a pink T-shirt emblazoned "Impeach Bush". She said she was in the Judiciary Committee hearing room not to add anything to the proceedings there, but "...I switched it to the impeach during the Valerie Plame hearing mainly because it seems like that the Democrats or—are going to push the supplemental through."[47] This action was criticized by the Capitol Hill Blue political news website on the grounds that it gave ammunition to Administration political workers to portray any complaints about the President or the occupation of Iraq as being from extremists.[48]

Tucker Carlson interview

Conservative talk-show host Tucker Carlson criticized Pink leader Medea Benjamin for her support of Hugo Chávez. She was quoted as saying that the charge in sections of the US media that Chavez had cracked down on free speech and civil rights in Venezuela was a myth.[49] In an interview on his MSNBC show, Benjamin was asked, "Do you want to revise that given the news that Hugo Chavez has closed the last nationally broadcast opposition television station for criticizing him?" Benjamin replied that it was not true and that Chavez simply did not renew the license because the station "participated in a coup against a democratically elected government, his [Chavez's] government." Benjamin also said "Peru recently did not renew a license. Uruguay didn‘t renew a license. Why do you hold Venezuela to a different standard?"[49] Carlson responded that a 360-page Venezuelan government-published book accused RCTV of showing lack of respect for authorities and institutions. Carlson asked Benjamin, "I would think, as a self-described liberal, you would stand up for the right of people to 'challenge authorities and institutions.' And yet you are apologizing for the squelching of minority views. Why could that be?" Benjamin replied that, "They [RCTV] falsified information. They got people out on the street. They falsified footage that showed pro-Chavez supporters killing people, which did not happen. They refuse to cover any of the pro-Chavez demonstrations."[49]

Ground the Drones

In the summer of 2009, Code Pink began their "Ground the Drones" campaign.[25] This campaign was a response to the Obama administration's continued and increased use of unmanned drones in the "war on terror," specifically in regions surrounding Pakistan and Afghanistan. Code Pinks claims that many of the drone strikes intended to target terrorist leaders and strongholds often miss their targets, causing the unnecessary deaths of innocent civilians.[50]

"Ground the Drones" was fashioned as a form of non-violent, civil disobedience, similar to protests earlier that spring, by groups such as Voices for Creative Non Violence.[25] Code Pink targeted Creech Air Force base in Indian Springs, Nevada, claiming it is the “epicenter” for controlling drone activity.[50] The goal of the protest was "halting unmanned aircraft strikes controlled via satellite links from Creech and other bases."[25] The group continued protesting at Creech AFB through until November and December 2009. Code Pink returned to Creech AFB in October 2011, along with other protest groups, to mark the 10th anniversary of the occupation of Afghanistan. Protesters dubbed it as the "largest anti-war demonstration ever at Creech Air Force Base.[51]

In August of 2013, Code Pink's national coordinator, Alli McCracken, disrupted the annual Aerial Unmanned Vehicles Systems Integrated summit, in Washington, DC. During a speech advocating the full automation of unmanned drones, McCracken interrupted by shouting “Are you going to talk about the innocent people who have been killed by the drones?,” while producing a "STOP KILLER DRONES" banner, until she was escorted out by security.[37]

In November 2013, Code Pink organized a "Ground the Drones." The summit took place over two days and was held at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C. The summit featured films pertaining to drone warfare, as well as a variety of guest speakers from various human rights and civil liberties organizations. Topics of the summit included ethical and legal arguments surrounding drone warfare, as well as concerns over the use of drones domestically.[50]

"Ground the Drones" has also attempted to involve American citizens in the fight to end drone warfare. Code Pink's website advises readers to take action by, among other ways, contacting their local representatives, organizing film-screenings, and distributing pamphlets.[50]

Halloween 2009 White House protest

On October 31, 2009, Code Pink organized a protest rally outside the White House to coincide with President and Mrs. Obama's official Halloween party. As many of the guests were family members of military members, the Code Pink press release encouraged attendees to dress as "zombie soldiers".[52] The event gained some notoriety when complaints surfaced about Reuters' characterization of their protest as "taunting" children, a characterization that Reuters stood by.[53]

Gaza activities

Code Pink has organized more than seven delegations to Gaza. Critics have since accused Code Pink of working "closely with terrorist organizations and states sponsors of terrorism" in Gaza and Iran.[54] Prior to the Gaza Freedom March, Code Pink endorsed the “Cairo Declaration to End Israeli Apartheid", which calls for comprehensive boycott of Israel.[55]

During the Gaza Freedom March, Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin coordinated the organization's stay with the Hamas government. Members resided in the Commodore, a Hamas-owned hotel in Gaza City. Hamas security officials accompanied activists as they visited Palestinian homes and Gaza-based NGOs.[56] Prior to the march, Benjamin said the Hamas government had "pledged to ensure our safety."[57] However, Code Pink leaders claimed Hamas had hijacked the initiative from the onset after imposing prohibitions on the organizations movements around Gaza. Amira Hass referred to the event as "an opportunity for Hamas cabinet ministers to get decent media coverage in the company of Western demonstrators."[56]

Code Pink helped to organize an International Women's Day Delegation to Gaza in March 2014. Upon arrival at the Cairo airport on March 3, 2014, Medea Benjamin was detained and assaulted by Egyptian authorities. She was deported to Turkey after the authorities had dislocated her shoulder.[58] Other members of the international delegation, including American, French, Belgian, and British citizens, who arrived the next day were also deported. Some members made it into Cairo, although no one from the delegation made it to Gaza.

National Rifle Association Protest 2012

Code Pink protesters were present at the National Rifle Association's first press conference following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where N.R.A.'s Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre advocated placing armed guards in schools and said "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun."[59][60]

Protest against intervention in Syria

About ten activists of Code Pink demonstrated in U.S. Congress against military attacks in retaliation for Syria's suspected use of chemical weapons against its own people.[61][62]

Protesting American intervention against ISIS

Code Pink activists demonstrated in Capitol Hill against the American intervention in Syria and Iraq to stop ISIS.[63]

Book

In 2005, Code Pink published a book called Stop the Next War Now,[64] which included essays by Eve Ensler, Barbara Lee, Arianna Huffington, Janeane Garofalo, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Hong Kingston, Jody Williams, Naomi Klein, Benazir Bhutto, Helen Thomas, Julia Butterfly Hill, Amy Goodman, Doris Haddock, Cynthia McKinney, Gael Murphy and others.[65]

See also


References

  1. ↑ Jon Stewart letter supporting Code Pink is fake
  2. ↑ Code Pink activists shown the red card at John Brennan Senate hearing
  3. ↑ . Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Code Pink "About Us" page. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  5. ↑ Copeland, Libby (June 10, 2007), "Protesting for Peace With a Vivid Hue and Cry: Code Pink's Tactics: Often Theatrical, Always Colorful", The Washington Post: D01
  6. ↑ Just the Beginning, CP, retrieved 2008-02-24
  7. ↑ CODEPINK Frequently Asked Questions, retrieved 2008-02-20
  8. ↑ Corbett, Rachel; Tranovich, Anja (20 March 2006), "The Normalcy of Fear", The Nation
  9. ↑ Families For Peace Delegation, Code Pink Website. Retrieved 3 July 2006.
  10. ↑ U.S. delegation goes to Middle East, Democracy Now! Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  11. ↑ Code Pink "About Us" web site.
  12. ↑ CODEPINK Alerts January 25, 2005, Code Pink website. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  13. ↑ Coile, Zachary (January 21, 2005), "OPPOSITION: Loud, peaceful protest interrupts Bush speech", San Francisco Chronicle, retrieved 2009-09-12
  14. ↑ "Code Pink's war protest jams bridge traffic]", Marin Independent Journal, September 22, 2006, retrieved 2006-10-16
  15. ↑ "Clinton: 'It's Just Not Fair'", The Hill, March 23, 2007
  16. ↑ Zavala, Matthew (March 27, 2007), Code Pink Targets Clinton, ABC News Political Radar, retrieved 2007-04-10
  17. ↑ "Anti-war protestors arrested at Pelosi's office", The Hill, March 22, 2007
  18. ↑ Baker, Peter; Weisman, Jonathan (September 11, 2007), "Petraeus Backs Initial Pullout: General Praises Progress, Warns Against 'Rushing to Failure'", The Washington Post: A01, retrieved 2007-10-25
  19. ↑ Perez, Simon (October 3, 2007), Berkeley Marine Center Draws Anti-War Ire (– SCHOLAR SEARCH), KPIX-TV (CBS affiliate)
  20. ↑ Bhattacharjee, Riya (2007-09-28), "Code Pink Protests Marine Recruitment Center", Berkeley Daily Planet
  21. ↑ "`Bloodied' anti-war protester gets in face of `criminal' Rice". The Star (Toronto). October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
  22. ↑ "CodePink Alert!". September 4, 2008.
  23. ↑ "CODEPINK leaders announce plans for investment in Iranian wind energy company". Code Pink. December 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  24. ↑ Wilson, Scott (June 4, 2009). "CodePink Alert!". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Blanchard, Eric (2011), "The technoscience question in feminist International Relations: Unmanning the U.S. war on terror", in Tickner, J. Ann; Sjoberg, Laura, Feminism and International Relations: Conversations about the past, present, and future, London, pp. 146–163
  26. ↑ "CodePink Alert!". December 28, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Code Pink Tries To Arrest Karl Rove At Book Signing". May 11, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Pelosi Heckled At DC Event Over Lack Of Federal Funding". June 8, 2010.
  29. ↑ Nakashima, Ellen (March 12, 2011). "WikiLeaks suspect's treatment 'stupid,' U.S. official says". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  30. ↑ Jewish Protester Disrupts Netanyahu During Congressional Address
  31. ↑ Amy Crawford (September 11, 2011). "SF war protesters choose to remember military dead on Sept. 11". The San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Protesters try to arrest Condoleezza Rice at RNC event". Politico. August 28, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  33. ↑ Grace Wyler (30 August 2012). "Code Pink Protesters Just Interrupted Mitt Romney's Convention Speech". Business Insider. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  34. ↑ Kerry Howley (5 October 2012). "Code Pink Goes to Waziristan". Slate. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  35. ↑ Mahvish Ahmad (9 October 2012). "Code Pink joins Pakistani political party in anti-drone protest". MinnPost. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  36. ↑ Blake, Aaron (May 23, 2013). "Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin heckles Obama repeatedly". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Codeping protester disrupts drone lobby summit, says it's time to ground the killer drones". 13 August 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  38. ↑ Sullivan, Peter (January 29, 2015). "WATCH: McCain calls protesters 'low-life scum'". The Hill. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  39. ↑ Code Pink: The Women's Anti-War Movement (PDF), retrieved 2008-12-07
  40. ↑ William Hughes, COMMENTARY: Code Pink Challenges White House, Baltimore Chronicle, May 15, 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  41. ↑ "Valentine's Day Kiss-In at Military Recruiting Centers". Code Pink. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  42. ↑ Make Out Not War (PDF), Code Pink, retrieved 2008-01-31
  43. ↑ Osama Bin Laden Is Dead; Let the Peace Begin
  44. ↑ Morano, Marc (2005-08-25). "Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital". Cybercast News Service. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Statement on Vigil Outside of Walter Reed Hospital" (Press release). Code Pink. 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  46. ↑ "Activists See Deception in Night Arrivals". Stars and Stripes. 2005-03-31. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  47. ↑ CNN Newsroom, Cable News Network, March 17, 2007
  48. ↑ A Plame-Wilson hearing sideshow: with friends like these (– SCHOLAR SEARCH), Capitol Hill Blue, March 16, 2007
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 "'Tucker' for May 29". MSNBC. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 "Take Action!". Retrieved 21 Nov 2013.
  51. ↑ "CODEPINK Joins Largest Ever Anti-Drone and Anti-Nuclear Actions Sunday at NNSS and Creech AFB". 7 Oct 2011. Retrieved 21 Nov 2013.
  52. ↑ Code Pink Press Release Accessed 21 Dec 2009
  53. ↑ Reuters Reader Feedback Forum Accessed 21 Dec 2009
  54. ↑ http://biggovernment.com/taylorking/2010/01/12/hamas-terrorists-guaranteed-code-pinks-safety-in-gaza/ Hamas Terrorists Guaranteed Code Pink’s Safety in Gaza
  55. ↑ http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/01/01/18633996.php Gaza Freedom Marchers issue the "Cairo Declaration" to end Israeli Apartheid
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/pro-gaza-activists-under-siege-imposed-by-egypt-and-hamas-1.261009
  57. ↑ "We Are Hometown News - Massachusetts women march for freedom in the Middle East". The Reminder. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  58. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/world/middleeast/medea-benjamin-cairo-airport.html
  59. ↑ CODEPINK Protesters Unfurl Banners “NRA KILLING OUR KIDS” and “NRA BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS” at first NRA Press Conference after Newtown Shooting, Code Pink: Women for Peace, Published December 21, 2012
  60. ↑ Peter Rugg, 'The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun': NRA's astonishing response to Sandy Hook massacre - as protestors storm their first press conference since tragedy, The Daily Mail, Published 21 December 2012
  61. ↑ Ferraro, Thomas (4 September 2013). "Red-stained hands wave in protest at U.S. hearing on Syria". Reuters. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  62. ↑ "One Winner in the Syria Debate: Code Pink". National Journal. 2013-09-10.
  63. ↑ "John Kerry Takes On Code Pink At ISIS Hearing". The Huffington Post. 2014-09-17.
  64. ↑ Evans, Jodie and Benjamin, Medea (editors) (2005), How to Stop the Next War Now: Effective Responses to Violence and Terrorism, New World Library
  65. ↑ About the Book Stop the Next War Now: Effective Responses to Violence and Terrorism at Code Pink website.

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