CODEPINK turned up the heat in June, with actions, meetings and gatherings focused on lifting the siege of Gaza, objecting Congressional war funding bills, countering deceptive military recruitment, speaking out against the occupation of Afghanistan and the attacks on Pakistan, standing in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators, and holding former Bush administration cronies accountable for their crimes.

War funding supplemental struggle: Before yet another “emergency” supplemental appropriation for $106 billion was voted on by the House and Senate, CODEPINKers brought public attention to the issue and generated “no more money for war” calls to Congress for both the supplemental and the defense budget of a whopping $603 billion.

Counter-recruitment: Corla of our small but active Redlands, CA group did two effective actions this month – participating in high school students’ viewing of the documentary “Arlington West” with lively discussion afterward (read the excellent report back here), and convincing a movie theater manager not to feature Army recruiting videogames in the arcade part of the theater. CODEPINK NYC held a press conference and rally calling for the end of the JROTC in their city.  Barbara from NYC and Yvette from Ft. Worth will be representing CODEPINK at the National Counter Recruitment and Demilitarization conference in Chicago mid-July.  And, Lisa Savage has just posted this morning the first of her weekly blog posts on counter-recruitment to Pink Tank!

Gaza: CODEPINK coordinated two delegations to the region this past month to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with its still locked-down borders: Our Egypt delegation of over 65 activists entered Gaza, built three pink playgrounds, and received a letter from Hamas for Obama, asking our president to visit Gaza and witness what his weapons funding is doing.  Our Israel delegation was barred from entering Gaza but created three days of playful, powerful actions at the border, donated a playground to a Bedouin village, and, in coalition with Israeli and Palestinian organizations, staged creative actions in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the West Bank.  CODEPINK was outside of both Obama’s speech in Cairo and Netanyahu’s response speech in Ramat Gan, calling for an end to the illegal settlements and the siege.  Read all delegate blogs and see photos here.  Delegates from all over the US and Canada are coordinating speaking events in their communities and in the news.  To connect with a delegate from your area for a report-back presentation, email locals@codepinkalert.org.

CODEPINK began a boycott of AHAVA dead sea beauty products, which are manufactured in Occupied Palestine, by organizing two direct actions – in Tel Aviv bikini-clad muddy protesters shut down the store inside the Hilton for the day, and in NYC bikini-clad gals staged a vibrant protest inside the Israeli Ministry of Tourism’s Tel Aviv Beach event in Central Park (see Cristina’s blog here).   In honor of Father’s Day CODEPINK sent out an email letter from activist Tighe Barry who designed and built the playgrounds in Gaza, asking for funds to support a US tour of Israeli young women who refuse to fight in the Israeli army.  We raised the seed money to start organizing for a fall tour with two young women shministit!   Yesterday, CODEPINKers joined rallies and spoke out to the media in support of the passengers and crew of the Free Gaza boat who were abducted by Israeli police.  And around the country, from SF to NYC, local groups continued to demonstrate for an end to the siege of Gaza.

Pink House in Transition: Desiree announced her retirement as Pink House Mama as of August, and to make the Pink House more financially sustainable, we have decided to rent out four of the five bedrooms.  Your stay at the Pink House in DC will help us keep the fifth bedroom open to CODEPINK.  Join us for our Women’s Leadership Intensive at the end of July, plan an activist trip or vacation to DC, and sign up to stay here.  Plus, send a note of thanks to Des here.

Betty “little ol’ Okie girl” Merle (b. March 13, 1938) launched CODEPINK in her adopted state’s capitol, Sacremento, with friend Jo Souvignier. At a celebration of Betty’s life on January 10, 2009, filled with tears, laughter and many good memories, Jo remembered that at their first meeting, Betty brought a binder full of information about CODEPINK – and Jo felt a bit intimidated!

Originally from Ringling, Oklahoma, but a Californian since 1946, Betty had a much-loved family, then earned two degrees from San Jose State University in the 1980s. She went on to a diverse professional career as a therapist, executive director, and college professor. Betty had a passion for helping and teaching, and did so with great dedication and enthusiasm.

Betty was an active member of organizations in the Sacramento area such as Grey Panthers, CODEPINK, Women Democrats, Town and Country Democrats, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and ACLU.

Her husband Dennis described a dramatic CODEPINK action in the state capitol building. “In a voice that was both hushed and excited,” he recalled with a big smile, “she called me from the office of the Speaker of the Assembly [in 2005] and said, ‘I think I’m going to be arrested.’” This took place during the struggle to bring home the California National Guard from Iraq when then-Speaker Nunez refused to meet with members of CODEPINK to discuss supporting a resolution on the issue. I was there too — one of 8 women, including Medea Benjamin, Brenda Hillman and others from the Sacramento area who sat down on the floor and insisted on being responded to. Finally, we were not arrested, but the action got plenty of media and other attention, and citizen Betty was more than ready to do civil disobedience for the first time in her life!

Betty Merle was an active leader of Sacramento CODEPINK and a wonderful mentor. “She was CODEPINK to me,” said military mom Zohreh, with tears in her eyes, to me after the memorial service.

Current local group coordinator Heather Woodford recalled how Betty brought her along as a young leader, and Mary Ellen, another friend and codepinker, added: “She would never ask you to do something she wouldn’t do herself.”

Although I only did a few actions with her in Sacramento, I vividly remember Betty’s Oklahoma twang, her twinkling dark eyes, her vigor, and the way she said sharply to Nunez’ aide, “As California goes, so goes the nation; so let’s bring our national guard home!” Betty came friendly but feisty, prepared and sharp-witted, to CODEPINK actions and meetings. Heather remembered her characteristic response when someone was complaining: “Well, pull on your big girl pants and deal with it!” We’ll try, Betty.

Betty is survived by her husband Dennis Ledden; children Randy, Belinda, and Melanie; grandchildren Molly, Chelsea, Meaghan, Lindsey, Andrew, Dana, Nick, and Eli; sister Jessie Shoemaker; ten great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends.