REMEMBER PHILIP BERRIGAN

Iraq Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore, 4806 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212

January 19, 2003

George W. Bush
White House

We are here today, first, as citizens and second, as members of the Iraq Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore. We would like to meet with you to convince you that an invasion of Iraq will be a colossal catastrophe for both sides. Nevertheless, we are compelled, by the gravity of the situation, to consider engaging in nonviolent civil resistance to prevent an escalation of the war
with Iraq.

You are aware, according to Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, "The Congress shall have power To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water." Only in a
dictatorship would the constitution be ignored. There are a multitude of reasons not to have the Pentagon invade Iraq. But possibly of most importance would be the number of civilian casualties sure to result from any attempt to invade Iraq. This is not to defend in any way the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, but the U.S. supports dozens of similarly brutal regimes.

The people of Iraq are still suffering the effects of the massive bombardment of 1991, the devastating sanctions and the deadly radioactive legacy of over 300 tons of depleted uranium. Our colleague, Philip Berrigan recognized the Persian Gulf War as a nuclear conflict.

Today, as marched to the White House, we are wearing photographs of Philip Berrigan, friend, mentor and conscience of a generation. Calling ourselves the Friends of Philip Berrigan, we honor him by taking the risks of peace to act against the war. We are here also to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his antiwar resolve.

Most leaders in government ignored both King and Berrigan, who were outspoken critics of the Vietnam War. Years later, though, almost everyone recognizes the U.S. assault of Vietnam as an unmitigated imperial disaster. This includes Robert McNamara, one of the architects of that war, which cost some 3 million Vietnamese lives. In Baltimore, we still remember the sacrifice of Norman Morrison, from Stony Run Friends Meeting, who immolated
himself in front of the Pentagon in protest over the war.

In possibly King's greatest speech, on April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City, he warned us: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is
approaching spiritual death." He concluded: "War is not the answer...We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace and justice throughout the developing world - a
world that borders on our doors. If we do not act we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality and strength
without sight."

Berrigan lived to protest many more wars: "The government is less and less representing the people. So that is why a movement has to be built in this country, if we are going to make it. The government has to be restored to the people and the general public can do that." So we the people heed his call and are here today to renounce injustice and demand that "War is Not the Answer."