March 1, 2009: Ann Arbor City Council unanimously passed a resolution to endorse the Iraq Water Project – Ann Arbor.
This project is a joint effort between Michigan Peaceworks and Veterans for Peace to send badly needed water treatment units to Iraqi schools and hospitals.
Michigan Peaceworks Executive Director Laura Russello, and Michigan Peaceworks Intern Miku Kawakami presented the various achievements of the project, which include a showing of the movie F.L.O.W and fundraiser at the Michigan Theater, a rally on campus to support the project and raise money, student group run fundraisers, and several well-attended house parties. Art Dorland, National Director of the Iraq Water Project also made a special guest appearance at the City Council meeting.
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Since the founding of the IWP in 1999, Veterans for Peace have rebuilt six water treatment plants in Iraq. However, even today, only one in three Iraqi children has access to clean drinking water. Michigan Peaceworks has joined the effort to support the IWP-Ann Arbor in the distribution of water treatment units to prevent the spread of water-borne and other communicable diseases in Iraq. Laura Russello, Executive Director of Michigan Peaceworks shares that the organization is “very excited to be working on an effort that is humanitarian, political, and active in raising environmental consciousness, because people need to know that there is still a war going on in Iraq and no society can rebuild itself without basic needs like water.” The goals of the IWP- Ann Arbor are to provide basic environmental resources such as water to Iraqi civilians and to educate Americans on the terrible effects of the war and the destructive sanctions imposed on these individuals, affecting their health and happiness. Another important goal is to begin improving the international reputation of the United States. “We want to show the world that not everyone in this country supported war or sanctions in Iraq, in fact many of us spoke out very adamantly about it,” said Laura Russello.
ReplyDeleteUpcoming fundraising events for the Iraq Water Project – Ann Arbor include the “Don’t Backpedal on Iraq” rally on March 21, which will be held on the corner of State St. and South University in Ann Arbor, and a door-to-door canvassing effort which will take place in April, 2009. Community members can get involved with the project by contacting Michigan Peaceworks at 734-761-5922, or laura@michiganpeaceworks.o
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