Washington, DC — Earlier this week, I had the privilege of being involved in an anti-war hunger strike action, organized by CODEPINK, a major women’s peace group in the U.S. The action, TroopsHomeFast, has had broad support since it began July 4, calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Long term fasters (now in day 24) have been in front of the White House, drawing attention to the illegal occupation of U.S. forces in Iraq and the deadly cost to civilian and military Iraqi, and U.S. lives. They are joined by thousands across the U.S., fasting for 24 hour periods, in support of TroopsHomeFast.

On my first day, I joined the action on the afternoon the Prime Minister of Iraq visited Washington, DC, and was able to participate in a press conference across the street from the Iraqi Embassy. Outside the Embassy, CODEPINK organizers called for a meeting with Prime Minister Al-Maliki, urging him to listen to the Iraqi people, not George Bush, and support the Iraqi reconciliation plan to end the occupation and withdraw the U.S. troops.

After discussions on the street outside the Embassy, representatives of the Embassy said they would deliver the group’s letter to the PM, requesting a meeting.

On day two, I spoke with fasters in Lafayette Park adjacent to the White House, and delivered a message of solidarity from Vancouver’s StopWar.ca in front of the White House with a megaphone, as Bush and Al-Maliki held a press conference on the other side of the iron fence on the lawn of the White House. Tourists and passers-by clapped when I said I was a Canadian Member of Parliament, in DC to support the TroopsHomeFast action.

Later in the day we returned to the Iraqi Embassy, and set up chairs and banners on the street, awaiting the arrival of the Iraqi PM to press the demand for a meeting. CODEPINK supporters made a wonderful colourful impact, with pink banners, pink umbrellas, their trademark pink t-shirts, pink bags, and leaflets. Cindy Sheehan, a key U.S. peace activist, and part of the CODEPINK contingent, sat calmly in front of the Embassy, ready, along with others, to be arrested for refusing to move after three warnings from police.

Intense negotiations with Washington DC police who were on the scene, resulted in agreement that the anti-war activists would move to the end of the block (now cordoned off by police and teeming with Secret Service personnel in dark glasses), on the basis that representatives of the Iraqi Embassy would allow Cindy Sheehan and Medea Benjamin (organizer of CODEPINK and TroopsHomeFast) to go in to a reception being held for the PM at the Embassy. As expected they were not allowed in, but resolved to return the next day.

It is wonderful to see the level of commitment, organization and detail of these American peace activists. They are so appreciative of support from Canada. They have a daunting task here in the U.S., and it’s not easy to get media coverage. But they do have strong cross-sector support. I have met a retired U.S. Army Colonel, a U.S. soldier representing, Iraq Veterans Against the War, a high school student, raging grannies and many more.

CODEPINK displays a marvellous tenacity, that is creative and bold, and it is inspiring to see them in action.

Of course, we have a massive job to do in Canada too, to defeat Stephen Harper’s drive to support George W. Bush’s illegal and immoral wars. In that way, we need to develop stronger solidarity between U.S. and Canadian peace activists, as shown at the World Peace Forum held in Vancouver in June.

I will return home with a stronger resolve to work with like-minded people to oppose military aggression and war, and the oppression and denial of Human Rights.

Libby Davies

Libby served five terms as a Vancouver City Councillor before being elected as Member of Parliament for Vancouver East in 1997. Re-elected for her fourth term in 2008, Libby is the Deputy Leader of...