Last month, Champaign and Urbana voters passed referenda to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq. But it doesn't end there. Shara Esbenshade explains the next step: Postcards For Peace.

SHARA ESBENSHADE
Gargoyle contributor
Posted Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006
Opinions

THE ELECTION ONE month ago made it clear that the majority of Americans want the U.S. out of Iraq. Voters in C-U made their voices heard with the referenda on the ballot this year asking them if they wanted the war to end.

The specific wording on the referendum for Champaign was this: In order to halt the continuing loss of life and resources necessary to meet human needs at home, shall the U.S commence a humane, orderly, rapid and comprehensive withdrawal from Iraq? It passed by 58 percent of the vote.

For Urbana (Cunningham Township): Shall the voters of Cunningham Township call upon the U.S. government to commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal of all U.S. military from Iraq while providing financial support for Iraqi security? It passed by 65 percent.

Urbana and Champaign were not the only communities to vote on such referenda this Nov. 7. Thirteen other townships and counties in Illinois passed the referendum to pull out of Iraq, with an average of 71 percent voting yes.

The message to our representatives in Washington is clear: The people of Illinois do not want this war to go on any longer.

While it is widely agreed that the Democrats won the U.S. House largely because of the unpopularity of the war in Iraq, it is not clear that the Democrats will indeed represent that and take action to set a timetable. If they are not pushed to do so by their constituents, who we now know feel strongly about this issue, we could remain there indefinitely without even altering the “the course.”

That, however, would be deadly. This war has already killed nearly 3,000 American soldiers and an estimated 600,000 Iraqis, surpassing the number of Iraqis killed under Saddam Hussein's rule. Indeed, it is dire that the war stop, but we need to recognize that we as citizens have a role to play in making that happen.

It is the role of our representatives to enact the legislation required to end the war, but when they hesitate to do so on their own, it is crucial that the people demand it. We cannot let our voices be ignored. If we want America to remain a democracy we cannot neglect our part in the process.

That is why AWARE, the Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort, a local grassroots organization, is heading the Postcards For Peace campaign. We have made and paid for tons of stamped postcards already addressed to our senators, Barack Obama and Richard Durbin, and our representative, Tim Johnson.

We are asking everybody who values the notion of a working democracy to write to their representatives. It takes a mere two minutes to jot down your opinions. AWARE will send the postcards for you, yet you get to put your thoughts into your own words — and that makes a much bigger impression on our reps who read them.

The most important part of this is the correspondence with our leaders, so whatever you want to write about, whatever politics you have, please write a postcard (or three!). Pro-war or anti-war, I think we can all agree — our leaders should be representing the people, so let's help them do that.

Catch me in the hallway during passing periods, lunch, or after school to ask for a postcard. We will also be writing cards at Activism Club at lunch Monday, Dec. 11, in Room 211, and will have them at Prejudice Awareness Club on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Room 210.

AWARE will send all the postcards (our goal is 1,000 sets of three) together in late December or early January, so that they are received at one time with big impact just before Congress begins to meet again. If you are part of a group outside or inside of Uni that you think would be interested in writing postcards, let me know. Have cards, will travel.

RELATED

— Gargoyle column: Nov. 7, a chance to speak out on impeachment and Iraq

— Gargoyle column: Make your voice heard about the Iraq War today

— Contact info: U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson

— Contact info: U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin

— Contact info: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama