BRANDYWINE PEACE COMMUNITY - P.O. Box 81, Swarthmore, PA, 19081--(610)544-1818

Nine years ago, on March 20, 2003, more than a hundred people were arrested at the Phila. Federal Building in the largest single act of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience in the history of the area. Those arrested were joined that day by hundreds of others encircling the Federal Building demonstrating their protest and outrage of the invasion of Iraq and the start of the bombing campaign dubbed "Shock and Awe". The Brandywine Peace Community, along with other groups across the country, had months before begun an intensive organizing campaign called the Iraq Pledge of Resistance which involved public demonstrations and signings of the pledge and action trainings that, as part of the growing anti-war movement, spread both the protest of George Bush's impending war against Iraq and a campaign strategy of citizen resistance to war. In the year that followed "shock and awe", groups of people arrested on March 20, 2003 were brought to Federal court (some taken off for short jail sentences, including now deceased Quaker peace legend, Lillian Willoughby, 90) became a public occasion of protest and community nonviolence. We worked so hard to stop the war in Iraq. All the lives and squandered treasure which could have been saved.

Now, nine years after "shock and awe" as war in Afghanistan continues with new outrages, and the drone war that began in Afghanistan and Pakistan has become an ever expanding remote-controlled U.S. policy of war, the specter of war against Iran looms large. The Brandywine Peace Community now encourages you to take another pledge, the Iran Pledge of Resistance, which is being organized nationally by United for Peace & Justice. Read the message below from United for Peace & Justice, take the Iran Pledge of Resistance online, and e-mail Brandywine that you have done so, so that we will be able to keep you informed of local meetings and actions for the Iran Pledge of Resistance.

We also encourage you to join us on April 4, at 4:30p.m., for the "A Time to Break the Silence" demonstration (see event listing below) in front of the Phila. Federal Building, 6th & Market Sts., which will include a public unveiling and signing of the Iran Pledge of Resistance. April 4 marks the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4, 1968). Exactly one year before his murder, Dr. King delivered perhaps his most prophetic speech, "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence".

Take the Iran Pledge of Resistance NOW and join us on April 4 and at the other upcoming events listed below.

From United for Peace & Justice... On this anniversary of "Shock and Awe" in Iraq, it’s time to stop the next war now: Take the Iran Pledge of Resistance. The Iran Pledge of Resistance (IPOR), www.iranpledge.org/, is a coordinated grassroots campaign to build an emergency response network capable of preempting any escalated U.S. intervention in Iran or the Middle East. Over the past few months there has been escalating talk about the possibility of a U.S. war with Iran. Israel, the U.S.’s closest ally in the region, is threatening attacks which could pull us into war. President Obama and the Republican presidential candidates are saying that “all options are on the table” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. This is despite the fact that top U.S. intelligence officials have made consistent statements that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program nor is there proof they intend to establish one. Let’s stop this war before it starts. On Feb 15, 2003 millions of people marched against war in Iraq. What if millions of us again join together to say no to war, but this time with a massive and committed anti-war direct action network?

“If the United States applies increased sanctions, invades, bombs, sends combat troops or drones, or otherwise significantly escalates its intervention in Iran or the region directly or through support of its allies, I pledge to join with others to engage in acts of legal protest and/or nonviolent civil disobedience to prevent or halt the death and destruction which U.S. military actions would cause to the people of Iran, the Middle East, our communities at home, and the planet itself.”

By signing the pledge you will be connecting with 100,000s of others; but signing up is just the first step. The Iran Pledge of Resistance is a commitment to act. Take the Pledge Now! www.iranpledge.org