FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Fasting CODEPINK Activist Hosts Party and People's Assembly Outside Congresswoman Pelosi’s House
Organizer Cynthia Papermaster brings her hunger strike to Rep. Pelosis’s Front Door With Message to End the United States Supported Famine in Gaza
San Francisco, CA - CODEPINK SF Bay Area invites concerned citizens to join them at a vibrant Valentines Party and People's Assembly at Speaker Nancy Pelosi's residence in San Francisco. The event aims to alert San Franciscans that their congressmember is funding a genocide instead of their essential needs.
This Sunday CODEPINK organizer Cynthia Papermaster will hit the 20-day mark of her 200 calorie/day liquid fast for Gaza. Cynthia, along with other peace activists across the globe, are on a hunger strike for an end to the forced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
"Because of Nancy Pelosi’s stubborn refusal to call for a ceasefire and her continuing financial support for sending U.S. weapons to Israel, we are all complicit in the genocide occurring in Gaza. We shouldn’t be forced to fund a genocide that is killing thousands of children. I can’t sleep, I’m miserable and grieving, and I’m not eating in sympathy with Gaza,” explained Papermaster.
"I need to try to make Pelosi understand that children are starving to death in Gaza. I may be starving right now, but I have shelter, a warm bed, water to bathe, and I can start eating again whenever I want. It’s freezing in Gaza, and people have no shelter, fuel, food, or water. This is genocide. I object to Pelosi making me complicit in that,” she continued.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (PST)
Location: Pelosi's house, 2640 Broadway,, San Francisco
*Compelling, click-worthy visuals will include: big valentine hearts with messages to Pelosi, colorful sidewalk chalking and red handprints, and buckets of red paint will be spilled on the street in front of Nancy Pelosi's house.*
Representative Nancy Pelosi is being criticized for her remarks on national television, accusing advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza of being paid agents of Vladimir Putin. In addition, there’s a video of Pelosi angrily telling CODEPINK members to "go back to China where your headquarters are” which has alarmed locals and many people globally.
In response, CODEPINK SF Bay Area is hosting a Valentines Party, creative street theater and People's Assembly outside Pelosi's residence, where "Vladimir Putin" will distribute “rubles” to activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Peoples Assembly will allow constituents to voice their concerns and demands to Pelosi, who may or may not be home on Sunday. Going to Pelosi’s house is necessary because Pelosi’s office at the SF Federal Building has been closed for years, and she doesn’t hold town meetings. Constituents need to be able to communicate with the Representative.”
The event will feature activities including the creation of a children's altar with flowers and shoes commemorating murdered Gazan children, Valentine's Day-themed crafts, sidewalk chalking, and other family-friendly activities. Additionally, a skit titled "More War Please!" will be performed, allowing participants to portray prominent figures such as President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Pelosi herself, among others.
There will be "Scones Not Drones," fruit, snacks and hot coffee at the event.
CODEPINK SF Bay Area invites all concerned individuals to join in this peaceful demonstration and collective expression of dissent. For more information, please contact Cynthia Papermaster at [email protected].
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