Dear CODEPINKer,

At around midnight the news broke that the last US combat troops were withdrawing from Iraq. The administration, the military and the media are trying hard to put a positive spin on this grim chapter of U.S. history.

A reporter asked us this morning "Who gets credit for ending the war in Iraq: George W. Bush for putting the agreement to withdraw in place or President Obama for seeing it through?" Our response was that YOU, the peace movement, get credit for this step in the right direction. It was all of our pushing through the years that has created space for this to happen. Soak that in for a moment.  

Now, let's build on this moment. With 50,000 troops and 75,000 private contractors remaining, Iraqis will continue to suffer and many of our troops may be redeployed to Afghanistan.

Next week Veterans for Peace is having its 25th Anniversary in Portland, Maine where our own CODEPINK local group has been rocking the state with their Bring Our War $$ Home campaign. We're collecting funds to run our counter-spin media strategy, including a newspaper ad to highlight the peace movement's response to the ongoing Iraq debacle. Your contribution of $10 can make it happen. Will you donate $10 today? For $250, your name and organization will be included in the ad.

CODEPINK members across the country are taking action with our allies from Veterans for Peace,Military Families Speak Out, US Labor Against the War and more. Will you join us by signing our Iraq Debacle petition to Obama and Congress?

Some communities are also hosting film screenings/house parties; others are taking to the streets and their Congressmembers' offices. Use our action ideas page for more inspiration!

Thank you for your unending commitment to peace,
Dana, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jean, Joan, Jodie, Lisa, Medea, Nancy, Rae and Valerie