FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected] 

CODEPINK Joins No to NATO Coalition’s Counter Summit and Rally on July 6th and 7th

Washington, D.C. – In response to NATO’s 75th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., peace and human rights organizations within the No to NATO coalition are organizing a counter summit and rally. The events on July 6th and 7th will present an alternative vision of global security and cooperation in response to 75 years of aggression and intervention.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a destabilizing force that promotes militarization and war. Its existence increases the likelihood of wars, including nuclear conflicts, and its stance towards non-ally militaries fuels global arms races and conflicts. NATO’s policy of “mutual defense,” its constant expansion, and its military actions far beyond the North Atlantic, pose risks to global peace.

In contrast, the No to NATO coalition promotes a world where resources are directed towards eliminating poverty, hunger, illness, and homelessness. They advocate for living in harmony with the environment and resolving conflicts diplomatically through the United Nations, the only global organization that represents all nations.

Event Details:

• Saturday, July 6th Counter Summit: Baxter Hall, St. Mark's Episcopal Church
  301 A St SE, Washington, DC from 9:30am - 5:30pm (EDT)
• Sunday, July 7th Counter Rally: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m ET. at Lafayette Square Park, in front of the White House.

NATO Background:

NATO's interventions in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Libya have been destabilizing and violated the UN Charter. NATO members have also supported wars in Iraq and Palestine. The incoming NATO Secretary General, the former Dutch Prime Minister, has disregarded the  rule of law regarding Israel's genocide in Gaza.

NATO, identifying as a "nuclear alliance," has a "Nuclear Planning Group" for coordinating nuclear weapon use, contributing to the Doomsday Clock nearing midnight.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency that manages weapons deals is larger and better-funded than NATO itself. NATO and its partners account for 69% of global military spending, with China at 19%, Russia at 6%, and Iran at 0.4%. Despite this, NATO pressures members to spend more and more on weapons procurement over human and environmental needs.

This event is co-organized by: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, CODEPINK, DSA International Committee, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Global Women for Peace United Against NATO, International Peace Bureau, NC Peace Action, No to war – no to NATO, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, RootsAction.org, United National Antiwar Coalition, Veterans For Peace, Vrede, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US, World BEYOND War and more.

For more information, please contact Ann Wright at [email protected].