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Washington Peace Center Endorses IRS Blockade

For Immediate Release March 17, 2008

Contact:
Malachy Kilbride, 202-841-2230
Jay Marx, 202-234-2000

Washington Peace Center Endorses War Resisters Action on Anniversary of Iraq War

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One of the region's oldest peace and social justice organizations, the Washington Peace Center, will join with one of the nation's oldest pacifist organizations this week to clearly state that there should be no more tax dollars spent on the war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, March 19, the War Resisters League will set up a nonviolent blockade of the national Internal Revenue Service headquarters in downtown Washington, as part of the day of actions against the war of terror. The Washington Peace Center fully supports this action, and will continue to highlight the immoral waste of U.S. tax dollars on violence and empire while the federal government continues to ignore serious social concerns at home.

According to government budget reporting, 54 percent of current federal income tax dollars in the U.S. are dedicated to pay current and past military expenditures. This includes an estimated $200 billion for the military occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan in fiscal year 2009.

"The amount of money going to illegal and immoral war and occupation is simply outrageous," said Washington Peace Center Board President Malachy Kilbride. "I think people of conscience will feel the need to confront this unjust and morally bankrupt tax structure."

March 19 marks five years since the U.S. attack and subsequent war on the sovereign nation of Iraq. This year, the day will begin in Washington with a brief rally in McPherson Square (15th and K Streets, NW) at 7 a.m., and then a march to the IRS building at 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW.

Ruth Benn, WRL member and staff person explained: "Just as some soldiers have the courage to resist the war, we — as tax payers — should have the courage to resist paying the taxes that send soldiers to war. We call on all war opponents to help dramatize our opposition and to disrupt business as usual by joining this nonviolent blockade."

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