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Women's Action for New Directions
WAND empowers women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs.
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AFGHANISTAN

THANK YOU TO OUR AFGHANISTAN ACTIVISTS!

The activists' work from WAND and from our coalition partners is begining to pay off. Recent developments in the House show that Congress is finally begining to understand what we have been telling them!

Thursday, July 1st Congress moved one step closer to representing the majority of Americans who believe the war in Afghanistan has not been worth the sacrifice of over 1,000 American service members and $1 trillion dollars. Congressional opposition to our failed strategy in Afghanistan was reflected in growing support for the efforts of leaders like Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) to responsibly bring our troops home.

Although these amendments were ultimately defeated by a coalition of Blue Dog Democrats and the Republican minority, two things are clear: Opposition to the war in Congress has grown significantly over the last year, and that is in no small part the result of efforts by thousands of activists from across the country. Dozens of organizations representing millions of Americans have worked over the last year to push Congress to represent a majority of Americans and end the war. The result of that work by citizens like you -- calling, emailing and meeting with their Members of Congress -- is on display in these votes.

If you are interested in learning how your elected officials voted, check out the vote tallies here.
Amendment # 4 offered by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) failed 100 to 321.
 http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll432.xml

Amendment # 5  offered by Reps.  Jim McGovern (D-MA) and David Obey (D-WI)  and Walter Jones (R-NC) failed 162-260 http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll433.xml

WAND Official Position on U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan

Short and Long Term Action Steps for U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan

Women’s Action for New Directions will only support additional military forces if the following action steps and principles are implemented.

1. Dramatically reallocate funding with a more balanced division among efforts that would:

  • Ensure security, especially for the 65% majority who are women and girls;
  • Rebuild a civil society which respects civil rights, provides for health and welfare, and supports democratic institutions through diplomatic and development surges;
  • Prohibit and penalize corruption at all levels.
2. Stop drone airstrikes and all bombing.

3. Devise a military exit plan with timelines, which fulfills the guiding principles listed below.

4. Limit use of additional American forces to providing security for innocent residents of Afghanistan.

Guiding Principles for U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan

  • Respect the right of the citizens of Afghanistan to live in a country that provides physical safety, life's necessities, and opportunities for education and employment for all, especially women and girls.
  • Respect the citizens of Afghanistan - listen, consult and collaborate.
  • Respond multilaterally and not unilaterally.
  • Exercise military restraint so that no more innocent lives are lost.
  • Carefully deliberate our ongoing involvement without plunging into deeper destruction of Afghan society.
  • Examine, research and honestly evaluate our own mistakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

©2009 WAND Inc.