FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Local Contacts: Cynthia Papermaster, 510-365-1500/Krista Chan, 510-468-3111
Bay Area CODEPINK to Hold "No Taxes for War and Genocide!" Event for Nationwide Day of Actions
San Francisco, CA – Bay Area CODEPINK is hosting an event in San Francisco as part of the nationwide Economic Blockade Day on Monday, April 15, to oppose the use of taxpayer money to fund continual wars and a genocide in Gaza. The event, called "No Taxes for War and Genocide!" is for everyone upset with how taxes are being used for weapons and war instead of the many domestic needs that lack funding, such as affordable housing, healthcare, clean energy, and child care.
The family-friendly day of action in San Francisco is set to begin at noon in UN Plaza, Market St. and Hyde St. San Francisco's UN Plaza, which commemorates the founding of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was chosen for the rally to demonstrate solidarity and advocacy for human dignity.
Following the brief rally, a colorful parade will proceed to the IRS Office at 450 Golden Gate Ave. where activities will include a tax teach-in, a skit called “We Won’t Pay”, colorful sidewalk chalking, music, children’s activities, street theater, poetry, and other peaceful activities.
“‘Invest our taxes in a Peace Economy’ is CODEPINK’s cry and our campaign to move war spending into areas that create peace and a healthy planet” says Cynthia Papermaster, CODEPINK Bay Area organizer. “We want our taxes to fund healthcare, housing, education, clean energy, child & elder care, transportation, infrastructure, clean air & water, student debt relief, libraries-- not war.”
"Tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gazan, including thousands of innocent children, have been killed by the Israeli military with U.S. weapons we paid for. We have spent billions of dollars on weapons for the Israeli military. We demand that Congress and President Biden stop funding weapons to Israel, call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, no additional funding, and halting weapons already in the pipeline,” said Papermaster, "It's time to prioritize investments in peace, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability rather than fueling conflict and suffering,” she continued.
Event Schedule:
- 12 pm: Gathering at UN Plaza - Market St. and Hyde St., San Francisco
- 12:30 pm: Parade to IRS Office at 450 Golden Gate Ave from UN Plaza
- 1:00 pm: Action at IRS Office at 450 Golden Gate Ave.
Hosted by CODEPINK Bay Area, endorsed by World Beyond War, SF Gray Panthers, ANSWER Coalition, Extinction Rebellion Peace, Human Rights Working Group of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee, Health Care Workers 4 Palestine, and others.
For more information about this action please contact Cynthia Papermaster at [email protected].
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