At Cornell University for Peace and Justice, a student/faculty/staff group at Cornell, we have decided to launch a campaign against the U.S. occupation of Iraq, starting the day after the election. Our thought is that whatever happens, this will be an important next step. If Bush wins, people will be utterly demoralized. If Kerry wins, there will be a need to reorient after the long silence of the anti-war movement. Right now, we will ask people to sign a petition demanding that the U.S. get out of Iraq, which will be published with the signatures as an advertisement in the local student paper and the local town paper.

We look forward to persuading people to take this public stand. Apart from the importance of the issue itself, it raises the larger question of whether the strengthening of U.S. world power, the common goal of both presidential candidates, benefits humanity.

The petition campaign will be accompanied by a series of fact sheets.The first fact sheet is attached, along with the petition. We have started to gather signatures in a very preliminary way (since most people are working hard to beat Bush.)

So far, signatures have come easily: about fifty so far. The big push will begin at a rally we are organizing for the day after the election, which will involve a variety of groups and causes, with the theme, Our Dreams Will Never Fit In Their Ballot Boxes.

We are starting to make contact with union-based and other local groups outside of the university. Eventually, we hope to have a large anti-occupation rally. Picketing military recruiters is another idea that we are discussing.

We hope that all or part of this project will be a useful model for people elsewhere. We would be grateful for any comments or advice and will try to offer what further help we can. You can contact us at usout@twcny.rr.com.

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