Americans Against Escalation in Iraq In Missouri

For Immediate Release                                                              
Contact: Kathy Peterson
Date: February 19, 2007                                                                  
Phone:314- 531-2288

Media Advisory for TUESDAY February 20, 2007 At 1:30 P.M.

Missouri Leaders, Veterans to Launch New Statewide Campaign Opposing Bush’s Escalation Plan in Iraq

Campaign Repudiates Senator Bond for Skipping Vote, Blocking Iraq Debate AGAIN

          ST. LOUIS-Missouri Leaders, veterans and area citizens will hold a press conference on Tuesday February 20 at 1:30P.M. to launch a new statewide campaign opposing President’s Bush’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq.  The newly formed group will condemn Senator Bond for blocking debate on the war in Iraq and the Bush-McCain  Escalation plan.  The group will also blast Missouri Republican Representatives Akin, Blunt, Emerson, Graves, and Hulshof for opposing a resolution that passed in the US House of Representatives Friday repudiating the President’s escalation plan. 

 The event is one of more than 300 being held across the country this week as part of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a national bipartisan coalition of veterans, union members, civic activists and concerned citizens. The leaders will discuss their concern for our troops and the President’s plan to escalate the war there by inserting as many as 48,000 troops into the middle of a violent civil war.    
 
        Earlier this month, President Bush, Vice President Cheney and the Republican leadership in the Senate were excoriated for obstructing the Senate from debating and voting on an Iraq resolution – a long overdue debate that Americans have been waiting four years to have. Despite the resulting public outrage, when given a second chance Senator Bond, in not showing up for the vote Saturday,  chose to block debate of Iraq strategy for a second time.  

Who:   Missouri Citizens Against Escalation in Iraq, Veterans, Military Families, Religious leaders, Labor Leaders, State Legislators, and Academic leaders

What:  Launch of Missouri Campaign Against Escalation in Iraq with Press Conference Slamming Senator Bond for Blocking Iraq Debate

When: TUESDAY February 20, 2007 at 1:30 P.M.

Where: Service Employees International Union Conference room

5585 Pershing Ave, St. Louis, MO 63112 (between Union and DeBaliviere)