Begin forwarded message:

> From: Jose Vasquez <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: January 11, 2008 7:14:32 PM EST
> To: Jose Vasquez <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: IVAW-NYC: Calling all authors, artists, filmmakers,  
> photographers, etc!!!
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Over the last couple of years I have met many of you through media  
> requests, speaking events, and social gatherings. IVAW is currently  
> working on an exciting campaign called Winter Soldier: Iraq and  
> Afghanistan. Below, I've pasted a brief description and link to our  
> statement of support on the website. IVAW.ORG/WINTERSOLDIER
>
> What I'd like to do is convene a meeting of as many authors,  
> artists, filmmakers, photographers, and others to discuss how folks  
> with skills can get involved locally to support Winter Soldier.  
> What I'm particularly interested in is perhaps forming a collective  
> of talented people who will be our longterm allies for this and  
> future projects. As you all know, having an effective multimedia  
> strategy is crucial for getting our stories out there.
>
> So, I want to bring us together on Wed, January 16th at 7p. We will  
> meet at the War Resisters League office located at 339 Lafayette  
> Street (buzzer #1) NY NY 10012. You take the 6 train to Bleeker or  
> the BDFV to B'way/Lafayette. If you want to get involved or if you  
> know people who fit the bill, please RSVP to me.
>
> Peace,
>
> -- 
> Jose Vasquez
> [log in to unmask]
> [log in to unmask]
> IVAW-NYC 212-228-0450 x104
> Mobile 917-587-3334
>
> As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Iraq
> nears, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is preparing to launch an
> event that will change the way the American public thinks about this
> war. Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan will feature testimony from
> U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Iraqi and
> Afghan civilians, who will tell the hard truth about what is really
> happening, day in and day out, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
>
> Winter Soldier will convene on the weekend of March 15 in Washington,
> D.C. and several local veterans will be standing up to share their
> experiences. It will be the largest gathering of veterans who  
> served in Iraq
> and Afghanistan. While many Americans feel that the situation in  
> Iraq and
> Afghanistan is improving, these veterans will reveal the unpleasant  
> realities
> of the ongoing U.S. military occupation that many don't know about.
>
> "It's our responsibility to tell the truth, and it's the duty of the
> American people to listen," said Kelly Dougherty, executive director
> of IVAW and a former sergeant in the Colorado Army National Guard, who
> served in Iraq as a military police officer. "It's not going to be
> easy to hear what we have to say. It's not going to be easy for us to
> tell it. But we believe that the only way this war is going to end is
> if the American people truly understand what we have done in their
> name."
>
> The event has been named Winter Soldier, to honor a similar gathering
> 30 years ago of veterans of the Vietnam War. Winter soldiers,
> according to founding father Thomas Paine, are the people who stand up
> for the soul of their country, even in its darkest hours.
>
> Thousands of concerned citizens have already pledged their support for
> Winter Soldier by signing the statement, We Support the Troops Who
> Oppose the War. The full statement can be read at
> http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldierstatementofsupport.
>
> Iraq Veterans Against the War was founded in 2004 to give those who
> have served in the military since September 11, 2001 a way to come
> together and speak out against an unjust, illegal and unwinnable war.
> Today, IVAW has over 700 members in 49 states, Washington, D.C. and
> Canada and on military bases overseas.
>
> FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT IVAW.ORG/WINTERSOLDIER