MISSION STATEMENT
To promote a humane and peaceful relationship between the
people of the US and Iraq through education and direct non-violent action.
DESCRIPTION OF KC IRAQ TASK FORCE
In 1999, five Kansas Citians traveled to Iraq to deliver food,
medicine, and school supplies to suffering Iraqi people, in defiance of UN
sanctions. When they returned and shared their experiences with other Kansas
Citians, the Kansas City Iraq Task Force was formed. Its purpose is to promote a
humane and peaceful relationship between the people of the US and Iraq through
education and direct non-violent action. After several years of working to
oppose the UN sanctions on Iraq, we took up the cause of opposing the Iraq War,
leading the anti-war movement in Kansas City.
Currently, we are engaged in a Full Accountability Campaign which seeks to
expose the truth behind the recent war with Iraq and hold our elected leaders
accountable for the consequences. Our efforts are conducted in a spirit of
nonviolence, which respects all people, even those who disagree with us.
As we examine the causes and consequences of this crisis, we inevitably are led
to address many issues of national and international concern related to military
aggression. By promoting a better understanding of the history of the Iraq
crisis and an in-depth analysis of current events, we hope to prevent such a
conflict from recurring in the future with any country. We encourage all people
who share in our beliefs to bring energy and creativity to our mission.
The continuing purpose of the Iraq Task Force
is to educate and to resist, but our focus is changing:
 |
Public education will center on
misguided US foreign policy using Iraq as a model, and will emphasize full
accountability of our government’s actions. |
|
Opportunities for resistance will
extend to include a broader spectrum. Projected topics will include the
policy of pre-emptive unilateralism on a global scale and the cost of the
military industrial complex. |
We demand our government to be fully accountable.
Some of what Kansas City accomplished...
We're glad that you have joined us in our pursuit of peace. Many people from all
over the KC Metro area have worked with us and supported us over the past year
and a half, with some amazing results! Thanks so much to those who signed the
petitions, contributed money, and came to the rallies. Since the war drums began
to beat in the summer of 2002, we have:
--Organized a peace rally every Sunday from August 4, 2002 until April 27, 2003
at the JC Nichols Fountain on the Plaza, which grew to over 2,000 people!
--Organized three bus-loads of Kansas City protesters to attend a major anti-war
demonstration in Washington, DC
--Ran a full-page ad in the KC Star, Dos Mundos, and The Call to educate local
citizens about the truth of the Iraq War. Over $14,000 was raised for the ad and
had 1300 signatures!
--Organized an anti-war sign campaign that distributed thousands of yard signs
throughout the KC area.
--Sponsored Kathy Kelly, co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness and Nobel Peace
Prize nominee, to speak in KC and to appear on KCUR's "Up to Date"
--Brought Dave Lippmann, the nationally acclaimed satirical "Singing CIA Agent"
to KC for a fun break from all of our serious work!
--Made dozens of presentations to grade schools, high schools, colleges
(including KU, JCCC, and KCKCC), churches and civic groups regarding the Iraq
War
--Organized a protest of President Bush's Iraq policies when he visited our city
--Maintained a comprehensive web site of everything from local peace activities
to international news about Iraq and the war
--Updated local activists frequently through our extensive email list
--Continued to host on-going monthly rallies to promote peace and to resist the
occupation of Iraq
--Organized and supported various smaller protests around the metro area
--Hosted numerous educational forums with videos and speakers after our weekly
rallies
Our successful organizing efforts have been the result of much hard work by
many, many people. We know that our vision of a world of peace and justice will
not materialize overnight. It will involve a long and protracted struggle. The
Kansas City Iraq Task Force fully intends to maintain that struggle, with ever
greater energy and creativity. And we want YOU to be a part of that struggle!
Report on local activities leading up to war with Iraq...
> NEWS REPORTS covering the
February 15-16, 2003 weekend protests against war with Iraq showed a
widespread and historic opposition. Police estimated the
crowd at 2000-3000 in KANSAS CITY. People came to KC from Liberty,
Parkville, Warrensburg, Columbia, Orrick (Mo.), Des Moines, Salina, St.
Joseph, to name a few surrounding areas. The
January 18, 2003 march in Washington and Kansas
City demonstrated a tremendous concern about the costs and aftermath
of war with Iraq. Other significant local actions against war have been:
$14,000 raised for a full-page ad appearing in November 2002 in the KC Star and
local student participation in
the March 5, 2003 "Books Not Bombs" strike.
A large protest in the Plaza and several other actions on
March 8-9, 2003 were held in recognition of International Women's Day. On
March 16, 2003, local candlelight vigils
at JC Nichols fountain (47th & Main) drew 2500 protesters and 80-90 in
Lee's Summit, among other vigils.
- Contact Us
Co-Chairpersons - Ira Harritt and Mike Murphy
Media - Mike Murphy
- Questions?
-
- Call: Ira
Harritt, 816-931-5256
Email: iharritt@afsc.org
Web Site Contributions...
> Please send photographs of local anti-war events, graphics, commentary (from a
local perspective) to info@kciraqtaskforce.org.
Thanks!
> Report problems or corrections to this web site to
info@kciraqtaskforce.org
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