Staten Island Vigil Against The War
Local Contacts:
   Susan Mcananama 917.669.9394                December 6, 2005
   Thomas Good     347.524.5631

For Immediate Release

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

STATEN ISLAND PEACE ACTIVISTS TO VIGIL AT BOROUGH HALL
                                                                      
Staten Island, N.Y. - According to participants, Staten Island's
regular vigils at Borough Hall, near the Ferry Terminal, have
taken on greater urgency with the steadfast refusal of the US
government to withdraw from Iraq.  Staten Island peace groups and 
individual activists have vowed to keep the pressure on until the 
troops are brought home - and in that spirit this weekend, on
International Human Rights Day, a special vigil has been called.
December 10, 2005 has been selected as the day Staten Island
activists will assemble at Congressman Vito Fossella's office
to hold him and other elected officials accountable for the 
slaughter and torture being committed in our name.  The vigil  
will begin at 12 Noon at Congressman Fossella's Staten Island
office.

"On this day, at this time, it is imperative that we speak out
against the government's illegal war and its use of torture,
in clear defiance of the Geneva Convention and basic human
decency", said Thomas Good of the NYC War Resisters League.
Local union activists have recently gotten involved in the
Staten Island anti-war vigils.  Several members of the New York 
City branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW),
the union that is organizing Starbucks, have attended past vigils
linking labor's struggles with the anti-war movement.  "Every vigil,
every act of resistance to the barbarism in Iraq, barbarism that is
the result of US foreign policy, is important", said Samuel Morales,
Jr, a member of the IWW.  "I urge all Staten Islanders to join us.", 
he said.  This week's vigil will be followed by more, some to be held
at Congressman Vito Fossella's office and some to be held at 
Borough Hall, near the Ferry Terminal.  "With the death toll increasing,
almost exponentially it seems, we will brave the cold and continue
to support the troops by demanding their safe, immediate, return",
said George Mcananama of Veteran's For Peace.  At the time of this 
advisory the number of U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq is 2,124 
and an estimated 15,000+ Iraq civilians have been killed.
"On this day, International Human Rights Day, our vigil will 
recognize the incredible suffering this illegal and immoral war
has visited upon everyone it has touched", said Sue McAnanama, 
a vigil organizer.  

The vigil will be held in front of Vito Fossella's office, 4434 Amboy 
Road, at 12 Noon.  The event is open to the public, all are welcome.

What:  Vigil Against The Iraq War 
When:  Saturday, December 10 - International Human Rights Day
       12 Noon
Where: Congressman Vito Fossella's office, 4434 Amboy Rd., 
       Staten Island NY
Who:   All friends of peace.
Why:   To stop this immoral and illegal war and the government's
       use of torture.

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