Media Release
| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone |
| March 19, 2008 | Ladonna Blount | 732-246-4772 |
NJ Citizen Action and Community Organizations Join Nationwide Day of Action Marking 5th Anniversary of Iraq War
National activities comprise the largest single day of action to end the war and invest in America's future since 2003 invasion
Mount Holly, NJ — On Wednesday March 19, New Jersey Citizen Action, along with millions of people across the country, called on Congress and President Bush to bring the troops home and invest in America's future. NJCA supported efforts to organize candlelight vigils in Mount Holly as well as in Flemington and Highland Park. These events were among thousands of events marking the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War. In all, these events comprised the largest single day of action against the war since the war began in March of 2003.
NJCA, local organizations, and concerned constituents gathered in Mount Holly in front of Congressman Saxton's district office in Mount Holly to call for an end to funding for the Iraq War and a change in priorities. Community leaders and constituents spoke about the need for Congress and the President to respond to the needs of New Jersey residents by ending the war and investing in America's priorities such as health care and job creation.
According to the National Priorities Project, New Jersey residents will pay 3.8 billion dollars in additional war funding this year. For that amount, over 350,000 Americans could have been provided health care. "Five years of war in Iraq are five years too many," said Michael Reilly, a retired Lt. Colonel and Vietnam Veteran. "Our economy is sinking day by day but President Bush is focused on a war we can't win. Its time they work to end the war and invest in new priorities to help families here at home."
Since the start of the Iraq War the US has spent over 500 billion dollars and nearly 4,000 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq, 30,000 more have been wounded, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have lost their lives. NJCA points out that cost of war continues to grow, citing daily reports of death and destruction in Iraq and billions of dollars that could be spent elsewhere.
"New Jersey families support an economic justice agenda that invests in quality, affordable health care for all; stronger public schools; and clean energy to end our dependence on oil," said Ladonna Blount from New Jersey Citizen Action, "In order to invest in our future, we need to end the war in Iraq."
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As the state's largest citizen watchdog coalition, with over 60,000 members and 110 affiliates, New Jersey Citizen Action works to protect and expand the rights of individuals and families and to ensure that government officials respond to the needs of people rather than the interests of those with money and power. Through organizing campaigns that promote economic, social, racial and political justice, NJCA encourages the active involvement of New Jersey residents in challenging the public and private institutions and agencies that impact our lives.
