FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
CODEPINK, Raging Grannies and More To Raise Voices for Peace and Justice in Congress for Mother's Day
Some mothers and grandmothers will “bare it all” to “expose” the lies in Congress that perpetuate the ongoing genocide.
Washington, D.C. - As Mother's Day approaches, CODEPINK and the Raging Grannies announce a series of actions in the nation's capital, rallying grandmothers and their loved ones from across the country to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza and advocate for a free Palestine.
Inspired by Holly Near's stirring anthem, "Send in 1,000 Grandmothers," women of compassionate hearts and resolute spirits will converge on Washington, D.C., on May 9th and 10th. Their collective aim is to raise a chorus of voices demanding a ceasefire in Palestine and an end to all forms of war.
“My child had access to health care, housing and education. As a nurse, I had access to treatments for my patients. Now, my tax dollars pay for mothers in Gaza to endure babies starving to death, children suffering deep burns from white phosphorus, and children having limbs amputated with no anesthesia, children traumatized from bombings.... I am beyond heartsick and outraged. It is my responsibility to act.” explained Alice Sutter, a mother, retired nurse and Raging Granny from New York.
The women aim to represent the voices of the Palestinian mothers who lives are being ended and destroyed by the U.S. funded genocide. Here are some quotes from Palestinian women and children in Gaza:
- “My children screamed and cried all night as they were so afraid of the bombing. I tried to calm them down, but there was nothing I could do to make them feel safe”
- “Suddenly, there was just noise, the ground was shaking, with black smoke and dust everywhere.”
- ”We were told to evacuate, but we simply do not know where to go. Nowhere is safe.”
- ”As a mother, as a woman, and as a Palestinian of Gaza, there is only one thing that I wish for. I wish for the violence to stop.”
- ”The longer this war lasts, the louder we will shout for an end of it and for a permanent ceasefire.”
- A mother who lost her baby boy said with tears in her eyes: “I took 580 needles to get pregnant and have him”
- A Palestinian girl after the martyrdom of her mother in an Israeli airstrike on their home : “I recognize her from her hair.”
- A mother said to her daughter after the Israeli military forces them to evacuate their home: “ Your Grandma is 80, she was displaced twice. You are 8 years old, you were displaced once. God willing it will not happen again.”
The group plans two days of congressional advocacy, including delivering a Mother's Day Call for Peace petition to all grandmothers in Congress on Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10.
On Thursday evening, May 9, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and sons will unite to amplify this call, singing out for lasting peace and the liberation of oppressed peoples everywhere. The event will feature captivating performances by artists, including the Black Workers Center Chorus, Colleen Kattau, DC Labor Chorus, Emma's Revolution, Annie Hassett, Pam Rogers, Raging Grannies, Song Rise, and more.
Potential click-worthy/news-worthy actions of note:
- On Thursday, the group will raise their voices for peace in the Rayburn atrium between 2 and 3 p.m. or until they are forced to leave.
- On Friday, the group will target Sen. Chuck Schumer's office to expose the lies that elected officials keep using to justify the killing of women and children. Some grandmothers and mothers in trench-coats will dare to "bare it all," calling attention to the "naked" truth of this genocide.
CODEPINK and the Raging Grannies co-organized the event in collaboration with 1000 Grandmothers, the American Palestinian Women's Association, World Beyond War, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, WILPF, Teachers Against Genocide, Doctors Against Genocide, and Mothers Against Genocide.
Full schedule of days of action:
Thursday, May 9th:
- Meet at Rayburn Cafeteria (45 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC) at 10AM ET - 3PM ET
- Congressional Office Meetings: Delivering petition and Raging Grannies Statement
- Singing in atrium until 3PM ET
Thursday Night, May 9th:
- Gathering at 7-8:30pm at Washington City Church of the Brethren, 337 North Carolina Ave, SE. We are singing for lasting peace and liberation of all oppressed people. Folks are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones who could not make it with them!
- Possibly heading over to GWU encampment at 8:30pm ET, stay tuned for informatio
Friday, May 10th:
- Meet 10am ET in Hart Atrium. 120 Constitution Ave NE, Washington DC
- Congressional Office Meetings: Delivering petition and Raging Grannies Statement 10am ET- 4pm ET
- Heading to GWU Encampment at 4PM ET (possibly)
For more information, please contact Michelle Ellner at [email protected].
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