Day One of Iraq Tribunal to Focus on Lies that Led to War, Create Roadblock to Future Wars Under Trump

Former Officials, Members of Congress, Military Personnel and Many Others to Testify on the Lies that Drove the Rush to War, Create Living History to Prevent Future Wars

WASHINGTON, November 30, 2016 – On December 1st and 2nd, 2016, the People's Tribunal on the Iraq War will investigate the lies and costs related to the war on Iraq. Featuring more than 100 testifiers from around the world, the Tribunal offers the opportunity to unite the peace movement with other justice movements to put a spotlight on the costs of this war—and war itself. Those testifying at the Tribunal will deliver evidence and give statements via video, live-streaming and in-person. Given the results of the Presidential election, the need for transparency is more important than ever, as the country nears having an administration seen as volatile, untrustworthy and racist as President-elect Trump’s.

We will hold a press availability opportunity with testifiers at 9:30 am on December 1, to give members of the media access to those who will be testifying in-person on the lies that mislead the public into supporting the war in Iraq. This media opportunity will be held at the University of DC in the David Clarke Law School Moot Court Room, 4340 Connecticut Ave, NW.

Those testifying in-person or remotely on December 1 include:

• Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization for use of military force that gave President George W. Bush a blank check to invade Iraq;
• John Kiriakou, CIA whistleblower who served 30 months in prison for revealing evidence of U.S. torture practices to journalists;
• Ray McGovern, veteran CIA officer who returned the medal commemorating his service in 2006 to protest U.S. involvement in torture and Ret. Col. Ann Wright, a former Army officer and diplomat who resigned her post over the invasion of Iraq;
• Inder Comar, plaintiff’s attorney in Saleh v. Bush,  the ongoing class action suit against six members of the George W. Bush administration alleging that the Iraq War constituted a war of aggression;

“Exposing and documenting the lies that mislead the public into a costly war in Iraq is the first step to demanding truth and accountability,” said Jodie Evans, CODEPINK co-founder. “We started the People’s Tribunal as a platform to tell the truth as loudly as the architects of this war told their lies. With an incoming administration that has only stoked the fires of racism and Islamophobia and is clearly unprepared for international diplomacy, never mind leadership that would have any interest in transparency, this tribunal is more important than ever.”

A pre-recorded press conference is available for background. For more information or to set up interviews with testifiers, contact paulairaqtribunal@gmail.com.

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