FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 28, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
CODEPINK and World Beyond War to Host "Funeral" for Failed Monroe Doctrine in Charlottesville
The Monroe Doctrine will be buried at James Monroe's house on the grounds of the University of Virginia on December 2, 2023.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – This Saturday, December 2, 2023, renowned peace organizations CODEPINK and World Beyond War will join forces to conduct a symbolic "Funeral" for the outdated and flawed Monroe Doctrine. The event will take place at the Freedom of Speech Wall located at 605 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States.
The Monroe Doctrine, established in 1823, has long framed Latin America as the backyard of the United States, a perspective vehemently rejected by many nations in the region. Over the years, progressive Latin American governments opposing U.S. intervention have risen to power, prompting Washington's attempts to destabilize some and promote right-wing movements. This stark divergence between domestic policies and Latin American policy stances has underscored the need for a reevaluation of U.S. foreign relations.
Highlighted examples of such interventionist policies include United States sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, which not only contravene international law but also infringe upon the principle of national sovereignty – the right of citizens to determine the destiny of their nation. The global community, including Latin American nations, has consistently denounced such actions as detrimental to the cause of peace and respectful international relations.
“Over the past two centuries, Latin American and Caribbean nations have consistently resisted the neocolonialist ideology enshrined in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. This doctrine was founded on the false notion of manifest destiny and extraterritorial rights. Today the Monroe Doctrine is being applied in new, insidious ways, as evidenced by its application in Venezuela and in 30 percent of the world’s nations, this evolved doctrine relies on sanctions to exert control.” said Michelle Ellner, CODEPINK’s Latin America campaign organizer.
“On this anniversary, it is crucial to question why the United States persists in clinging to a 200-year-old doctrine that perpetuates instability, violence, and exploitation within our region, ultimately contributing to the migration challenges we face today at our own borders,” she continued.
The "Funeral" event aims to symbolize the end of the era of imposing U.S. will on other nations and herald the establishment of a new doctrine centered on peacemaking, cooperation, demilitarization, and mutual respect. As CODEPINK and World Beyond War come together, they invite the community to join in this symbolic act of laying to rest outdated doctrines and embracing a future characterized by collaborative global relations. Speakers at the funeral service will include the following (all available now for interviews):
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President James Monroe / Herbert "Chip" Tucker, Professor of English, UVA.
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Michelle Ellner, Latin America campaign coordinator of CODEPINK.
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David Swanson, Executive Director of World BEYOND War, author of The Monroe Doctrine at 200 and What to Replace it With.
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Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK and of Global Exchange.
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Ann Wright, former diplomat in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, and member of the CODEPINK Board of Directors.
Members of the media are welcome to attend the event and engage with representatives from CODEPINK and World Beyond War, who will be available for interviews and statements.
For more information regarding the event, please contact: Michelle Ellner at [email protected]
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