PINKtank » Local press releases

OFFICIAL RELEASE: TODAY: Bikini-clad activists protest Israeli cosmetics at stores in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey

Jean — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:46:08 +0000

SANTA MONICA — Inside upscale cosmetics stores here and in Marina del Rey in a two-hour “tour,” bikini-clad activists streaked with mud of the women’s peace group CODEPINK will rally with chants and signs to expose the dirty truth of the Israeli cosmetics company, Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories: that it profits from its exploitation and illegal practices of the Occupied West Bank.

“We are here to tell Ahava, which claims to be devoted to beauty and purity, that you cannot cover up occupation and violation of international law,” said Paris Marron, CODEPINK’s national online organizer. “We call on Ahava to come clean.”

The action, which follows four others in Israel and New York of the past two months, is part of CODEPINK’s “Stolen Beauty” boycott campaign against the Israeli company — which sells its products in upscale shops, spas and salons worldwide — designed to pressure the company to end its illegal practices and pressure Israel to end its violations of international law against Palestine and its people. CODEPINK also plans to educate consumers about Ahava’s dirty secrets and encourage consumers to boycott Ahava products.

CODEPINK recently sent a fact-finding mission to the Ahava headquarters in the Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Shalem in the Occupied West Bank. What they found made their skin crawl.

“Its products produced in the Occupied West Bank are labeled of ‘Israeli origin’ even though, according to international law including the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the West Bank cannot be considered to be part of the State of Israel,” said Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder. “The company also exploits occupied natural resources for profit, which is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

Ahava does its best to hide its dirt, even hiring Oxfam Ambassador and ‘Sex and the City’ star Kristin Davis as its spokesperson.

Stolen Beauty’ is CODEPINK’s contribution to the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement against institutions and corporations that give tacit or material support to the Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territory, designed to pressure the Israeli government to end the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Conditions there have since worsened because of Israel’s 21-month blockade of Gazan borders, Israel’s continued demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, and land appropriations and violent repression in the West Bank.

For more information and exact schedule, please call Jodie Evans, CODEPINK co-founder, at 310-621-5635.

Official release: Local taxpayers to rally TODAY outside of AIG New York offices

Jean — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:58:05 +0000

WHAT: Local taxpayers to gather outside of AIG New York offices, demand their fair $80 million share of sale
WHEN: 12 p.m. TODAY (April 15)
WHERE: AIG headquarters @ 70 Pine St., New York, NY

NEW YORK CITY — AIG is selling its Manhattan offices here — and local taxpayers want their fair share of the deal!

Members of CODEPINK Women for Peace, Picture the Homeless, Green Party mayor candidate Rev. Billy and the Church of Life After Shopping, and others will march at 12 p.m. April 15 to the on-the-market AIG offices to claim their rightful 80 percent stake in the company, granted to them through the government’s $170 billion bailout with taxpayer money. Since the building is selling for $100 million, they say, the American people deserve their $80 million now.

“AIG can’t be trusted to manage what are now public assets, including its building at 70 Pine Street,” said Mark Read, a carpenter from Brooklyn and event organizer. “For all we know, they’ll use the proceeds from the sale of the building to pay for more bonuses and perks for the guys who drove the economy into a ditch. We ought to have a say in how AIG’s money gets spent, and we think it ought to go to the people that are suffering as a result of AIG’s recklessness and greed: the foreclosed upon and the homeless.”

The crowd, with 1040 forms as proof of purchase in hand, will call for their $80 million to be used as restitution for Americans left homeless through foreclosures and job loss due to the economic meltdown. One in every 440 homes received a foreclosure filing in February 2009, according to RealtyTrac’s 2009 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report,and foreclosures jumped 30 percent between February 2008 and 2009. According to the Department of Labor, 4.6 million jobs have been lost in 2008 and 2009.

For more information, please call Dana Balicki, CODEPINK campaign coordinator, at 202-422-8624 and Mark Read, event co-organizer, at 917-776-8847

OFFICIAL RELEASE: New Yorkers host vigil TOMORROW outside U.N. , demand ceasefire to Gaza attacks

Jean — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:06:56 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 12, 2008

New Yorkers host vigil TOMORROW outside U.N.
Demand ceasefire to Gaza attacks, end to U.S. support for illegal Israel assault with U.S. weapons

WHAT: Candlelight vigil demanding ceasefire in Gaza
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13
WHERE: Outside the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations (140 East 45th St. between Lexington and Third Aves.)

NEW YORK — Appalled and sickened by the U.S.-funded massive assault on Gaza, New Yorkers will gather at 5:30 p.m. TOMORROW in a public candlelight vigil outside the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the blockade.

Participants in the vigil will ask fellow citizens to contact elected officials and call on them to publicly demand an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, an end to the funding and supplying of Israeli weapons with American taxpayer dollars, and support for U.N. Security Council motions for a ceasefire.

They will also demand the Red Cross and other aid groups be safely allowed into Gaza. Such groups were last week forced to temporarily suspend their work due to attacks on their personnel. Israel’s assault on Gaza, entering its third week, has resulted in the killing of over 900 people, including at least 194 children and 58 women. Israel is the single largest foreign recipient of American military aid, and the current offensive is being carried out with U.S.-funded and manufactured helicopters, tanks, rockets and, most controversially, phosphorous bombs.

“While we in the States don’t see many images of the Palestinian women and children being killed and maimed with our tax dollars, these gruesome photos are being broadcast in the rest of the world,” said Nancy Kricorian, coordinator for CODEPINK NYC. “It is our responsibility as Americans to call on our government to stop aiding and abetting this slaughter.”

Rally organizers include CODEPINK NYC, United for Peace and Justice, American Friends Service Committee, World Without War and Center of Cultures.

Official release: CODEPINK women try to make citizens arrest of Karl Rove at Mortgage Bankers Association convention!

Jean — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:35:01 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2008

CODEPINK Activists Stage Arrest of Karl Rove for Lying to Congress about the Iraq War

at Mortgage Bankers Annual Convention

SAN FRANCISCO — When Karl Rove took the stage at the Mortgage Bankers Association annual convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco today, CODEPINK women in the audience staged a citizen’s arrest of the former Bush Administration chief of staff, under California Code 837. This action follows on the heels of yesterday’s appearance on stage of Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, who disrupted the convention to ask for a moratorium on foreclosures.

Janine Boneparth, 58, of Ross, CA, walked on the stage with handcuffs and placed a cuff on Rove’s wrist before he yanked it away, while stating, “I have to make a citizens arrest. You are under arrest for treason.” (Watch film of the arrest from ABC 7 here: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/business&id=6461516)

At the same moment, Nancy Mancias, 38, of San Francisco, CA, held a banner in front of the stage that read, “Rove (hearts) torture, treason and fraud!”"Ladies and gentlemen, Karl Rove is not fit to address you today,” Mancias said. “Karl Rove was involved in lying to the American people about the Iraq war.”

The moderator responded by asking Sen. Mitchell and Rove, with a chuckle, who will win World Series. After Rove talked about who in Congress is responsible for the economic crisis and who should we believe, Rae Abileah, 25, of Half Moon Bay, stood up.

“Karl Rove, how can we believe you when you lied to get us into the war in Iraq?” Abileah said. “You are under arrest for contempt of Congress.”

Abileah held up a banner that read: “ARREST ROVE/ Lying about War/ Outing C.I.A. Agent/ Contempt of Congress/ Supporting Torture”. Three security men tackled her and clasped their hands over her face. She broke free and repeated, “Rove is under arrest for treason.”

A few minutes later, when Rove was talking about the war, Keiko Schnelle, 21, of Albany, and Blaine Clarke, 28, of San Francisco, stood up with a banner that said “Rove = War Criminal.”

“Karl Rove is the one misleading the American people,” Clarke shouted. “Karl Rove is a war criminal. Arrest Karl Rove!”

Security then pushed Clarke to the ground and dragged her out along with Schnelle. All five CODEPINK women were escorted out of the building by police without charges. They asked police to assist with the future citizens arrest of Karl Rove. They carried copies of the full arrest complaint, which is included below this release.

Yesterday during a keynote panel with heads of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at the MBA convention, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, walked onstage to call for a moratorium on foreclosures. (Watch video of it here here http://www.truveo.com/Mortgage-Bankers-Gathering-Met-By-SF-Protestors/id/1530783410).

“Since the public bailed out your companies, the public should have a right to ask a question,” Benjamin said calmly once she walked up onto the stage. “We need a moratorium on foreclosures. Will you please call for that, sirs?” She was then forcefully escorted off the stage.

CODEPINK has been birddogging Karl Rove as he tours the country, including demonstrations at his recent Sacramento appearance at the Perspectives public affairs forum, and at the Houston Aquarium. Benjamin remarked, “We are demanding accountability from Karl Rove who lied to get us into the war and outed C.I.A. agent Valerie Plame. If law enforcement and Congress won’t do it, we the American people will!”

CODEPINK, founded in 2002, is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into health care, education and other life-affirming activities. We reject the Bush administration’s fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead call for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence. For more info, visit www.codepinkalert.org.

###

Arrest Complaint

( In the matter of concerning:

(

( United States of America, plaintiff

(

( v.

(

( Karl Christian Rove, defendant

Under the authority provided private citizens by California Code: 837, you, Karl Christian Rove, are being placed under arrest for high crimes against the people of the United States committed during your role as Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush as well as while serving as a campaign consultant during the U.S. presidential elections of 2000 and 2004.

You are charged with willful violation of the following federal codes between the dates of January 1, 2000 until the present.

US Code: Title 42, the Voting Rights Act, for ELECTION FRAUD in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections

US Code, Chapter 19.371, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT OFFENSE OR TO DEFRAUD UNITED STATES, for false information leading to the War in Iraq

Several sections of US Code, Chapter 115, TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES including, but not limited to submitting and fomenting false information leading to the War in Iraq, illegal detainment and torture of prisoners in Guantanamo and elsewhere, and other fraudulent acts leading to the deaths of more than 4,000 U.S. military personnel as well as approximately 300,000 Iraqi civilians.

US Code, Title 18, Chapter 51, FELONY MURDER

Further, you may also be indicted for other violations of federal code not listed in this complaint.

Any United States Marshall or any authorized U.S. Law Enforcement Officer present is obligated under the provisions of California Code 837 to take you into custody and bring you forthwith before the nearest magistrate to answer these charges and to advise you of your rights with include:

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense.

Respectfully submitted by and for citizens of the state of California

On this 21^st day of October, 2008.

Nancy Mancias, Rae Abileah, Keiko Schnelle, Blaine Clarke, and Janine Bonaparth

San Francisco, CA 94110

415-575-5543 or 415-575-5555

OFFICIAL RELEASE: No winks, no scripts – Americans rally at presidential debate at Hofstra!

Jean — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:56:34 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
Jean Stevens, CODEPINK national media coordinator, 646-723-1781

America demands a peace president!
CODEPINK and other activist groups to rally TODAY outside presidential candidate debate at Hofstra

WHAT: Pro-peace, pro-diplomacy, pro-America rally outside final presidential candidate debate
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Weds. Oct. 15
WHERE: Corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Uniondale Ave, Hempstead, NY
*Interviews available before event

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Forget talking points, scripted questions and winks. At today’s presidential debate at Hofstra University, the best, grittiest action will be outside.
Veterans, teachers, labor workers and other Americans with demands for the candidates — on ending the war and investing in health care and education — will gather there with banners, signs and chants to send the message to both Sen. Barack Obama and John McCain that they want a peace president! They must stand for diplomacy and avoid war with Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iran — after spending $560 billion and losing 4,000 American lives on an unjust war in Iraq, we cannot afford another, especially in the midst of a catastrophic financial crisis.
To get the rally started, CODEPINK Women for Peace, the prominent peace activist group, Iraq Veterans Against War, United for Peace and Justice and others will meet at 4:30 p.m. at Hempstead Turnpike and Uniondale Ave. and walk west toward the university. They will continue the rally until 6:30 p.m.
The women and other activists will also gather Thursday, Oct. 16, outside the Waldorf-Astoria at 51st. St. and Park Ave. where Obama and McCain will be speaking at the Al Smith Dinner, a fundraiser for the Catholic Charities.
For more information, please call Jean Stevens at 508-769-2138.

Official release: CODEPINK Demands the Presidential Candidates Reject Bailout Take thousands of signatures to their DC offices saying “Provide Leadership: Protect the Peace, Not Wall Street”

Jean — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:19:41 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CODEPINK Demands the Presidential Candidates Reject Bailout
Take thousands of signatures to their DC offices saying “Provide Leadership: Protect the Peace, Not Wall Street“

WHAT: CODEPINK march to D.C. offices of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama with signatures demanding leadership, not bailout
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Weds., Oct. 1
WHERE: Begin at office of Sen. John McCain (Russell 241) and march to office of Sen. Barack Obama (Hart 713), Washington, DC

Washington, D.C. — In the face of a Senate vote on the biggest give-away of our tax dollars in our nation’s history, CODEPINK will tell both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama that our country’s leadership is in crisis and demand that they, presidential candidates, show some backbone and call for a bailout of Main Street, not Wall Street.

“Both presidential candidates said they were ready to vote for this atrocious Wall Street bailout that the people have rejected. Is that leadership? We want the future president of this country to stand up for average Americans, not billionaires,” said Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder.

“How outrageous that a bill that couldn’t even pass the House because of a popular uprising should be supported by both presidential candidates! It’s time for them to stop giving us populist rhetoric and give us real solutions that help working class Americans,” said Gael Murphy of CODEPINK DC.