CODEPINK: Women For Peace

Sign our petition & tell Obama: We need a surge in diplomacy not more violence

Sign below to tell Obama that we need a surge in diplomacy, not a surge in violence.

In the first days of the Obama administration, our new president authorized unmanned drone attacks in Pakistan that killed 14 people, in direct contravention of international law, and an attack in Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of many civilians. So far in 2009, there have been over 30 drone attacks against Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of hundreds and a refugee crisis in northwest Pakistan.

With the end of the disastrous Bush years, we hoped for – and were promised -- a change in foreign policy direction. What we have seen this first year of the Obama administration in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not encouraging, and the policy needs to be changed – from surveillance and bombings by drones, to intelligent negotiations by people committed to conflict resolution . It is up to us, the people, to make sure that Obama and his administration bring us the change we were promised. Please add your own short message to the petition below, and tell your friends!

Send your email below (we have provided an editable template for you) to Obama and his team today!

June 18, 2013

Subject:
We Need Diplomacy not Violence

Dear President Obama

In your stirring inauguration speech, you cautioned leaders around the globe to "know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." We want you to remember those words today, as you send more drones into Pakistan. Please remember: we elected you for what you could build, not what you could destroy. We are deeply grateful for your moves to close Guantanamo and end torture. We do see glimmers of hope in your new administration’s reaching out to Iran for direct negotiations and in the appointment of George Mitchell as the special envoy to Israel and Palestine. But what we have seen this year so far in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not encouraging. The people and government of Pakistan are opposed to your actions, which are only inspiring more militants and isolating the Pakistani army. Don't let more civilians die under your watch. We need a surge in diplomacy and development, not a surge in violence. Sincerely,
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