Holly Hart
Speech at Rally at Pedestrian Mall
March 20th, 2003

We need to go after the entities that have the means to really change things.

You know the facts. Essentially, President Bush and Co. are potentially
guilty of these crimes (quoting from the Green Party of the U.S. media

CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS, including military aggression and conquest, which violate the mandated role of U.S. armed forces (article I, Section 8; Article
IV, Section 9).

VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (U.N. Charter, Geneva Convention), including pre-emptive invasion without proof of an imminent attack. The mission of the U.N. is to avert war, not rubber stamp invasion.

LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE WORLD.

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, both of Iraqi civilians and our own armed forcecs.

SUBTERFUGE.

BRIBERY and EXTORTION.

AIDING AND ABETTING THE ENEMY (although Saaddam used to be our friend").

WAR PROFITEERING.

It's still illegal, and it's still about Enron. Don't forget it, and don't let anyone tell you differently! We need the rallies, we need people in the streets, we need civil disobedience - and we also need to seek remedy through all legal means available. We have the system in place, but we need to make it work.

Especially, we need to hold Congress accountable. We know the Bush Administration is a lost cause; but Congress could, and should, have prevented this war from happening, and it's time to hold Congress ACCOUNTABLE. Congress must demand its right to scrutinze (illegal) development of weapons containing dense metals and depleted uranium, and insist that our armed forces cease to use them. Congress must insist that surrenduring Iraqi forces are treated humanely and fairly. Congress must be urged to rescind the Patriot Act.

And, here are three things we can do, right now:

1) Contact our elected Congressional representatives and ask them to support House Joint Resolution 20:

JOINT RESOLUTION
To repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REPEAL OF PUBLIC LAW 107-243.

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 116 Stat. 1498) is hereby repealed.

2) Bring the Congress Home
PeaceEconomy.org is encourgaing a recall campaign of all members of the U.S. Congress who are not actively opposiung this illegal war against Iraq. These members of Congress have violated their oath to uphold the Constitution of the U.S., which gives responsibility to declare war ONLY to Congress, and DOES NOT GRANT THEM THE ABILITY TO DEFER THIS RIGHT TO ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. We do not have to abrogate our right to assure that our elected representatives are law-abiding and truly representative.

Here is the Three-Step Program:

1. Write your member of Congress and Senators and urge them to obey the law or face a recall;
2. Begin a petition campaign for a recall election;
3. Identify law-abiding candidates to seek the seats of the law breakers and vow never again to vote for a candidate who will not follow the law or represent your best ideals.

3) "Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience. Therefore, [individual citizens] have the duty to
violate domestic laws to prevent crimes against peace and humanity from occurring."
-- Nuremberg War Crime Tribunal, 1950

Many in our armed forces are feeling guilty, worried and conflicted about their involvement in this war. Did you know that even members of the armed services can seek conscientious objector status, and other means of refraining from participation in a war which they find illegal and immoral? Tell your enlisted friends, and encourage those who are feeling conflicted that they can get help. Find out more at: http://www.objector.org/girights/

Support our Troops - Bring Them Home - Help Them Stay Home

Holly Hart
for the Johnson County/Iowa Green Party
3/20/03