As part of Troops Home Fast, Pace e Bene Action Advocate Father Louie Vitale has been fasting for for peace in Iraq since July 4. He has spent the past several weeks in Washington, D.C., joining with members of CODEPINK, United for Peace and Justice, and other activists, to call on Congress to set a date for a comprehensive end to the US occupation Iraq.

Louie has met with Congressional representatives to see where they stand. “We want to raise the issues to them,” Louie says. “We’ve been asking them what can be done to move this ahead.”

Everyday, 30-40 people gather in front of the White House as part of the fast. Nationwide, 4000 people have fasted one or more days. A part of the DC fast is to promote on-going grassroots campaigns, including the Voters for Peace pledge, Cities for Peace and local anti-war resolutions. The fast will culminate on September 21 and the week of Declaration of Peace actions in Washington and across the US.

Louie has appreciated are “the sense of community among those who are living and fasting together.” The participants have also joined in activities such as vigils and anti-torture demonstrations; they also have afternoon teach-ins in front of the White House, including nonviolence workshops.

Why are Louie and others doing this fast? “We need to end this war,” he says with passion. “We want to show Congress and others that we are committed to ending the war, whatever it takes.”

More information:
www.troopshomefast.org
www.codepinkalert.org
www.declarationofpeace.org