In pursuit of our objectives, Voices organized a variety of direct action campaigns since 2005, including:
- four lengthy fasts which focused on ending economic and military warfare against Iraq.
- nonviolent civil disobedience at the offices of Representatives and Senators; weapons manufacturers; and the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command.
- a thirty day, 320 mile walk for justice “from the Midwest to the Middle East”
- The Occupation Project campaign of sustained nonviolent civil resistance to continued Iraq war funding. This campaign resulted in over 320 arrests nationwide over a 10 week period from Feb 5 to Tax Day 2007. A second phase launches in August 2007 to oppose war funding through 2008.
- The 100,000 Rings campaign to remember and recall the Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers killed in the war in Iraq through consistent and continual reading of the names and the tolling of a bell in remembrance.
Several Voices activists traveled to Beirut in August, 2006 to accompany Lebanese civilians who intended to bring relief supplies to citizens in southern Lebanon. Their reports and photographs are posted here on www.vcnv.org
We value opportunities to work alongside campaigns with similar goals such as the Declaration of Peace, Bite the Bullet (focused upon war profiteers) and the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance.
Language study is a central component of our work. As a sign of respect for Arabic-speaking families and communities whom we visit, we aim to steadily support and encourage those in our network who are resolved to study Arabic.
Voices continues to work with Iraqi refugees who live in Jordan and Syria. Learning from and advocating for Iraqis must remain central to ending the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. We believe the international community bears responsibility to help provide for Iraqi, Palestinian and other refugees living in Jordan and Syria. Yet we must also recognize the needs of Jordanian and Syrian citizens whose lives are directly affected by the influx of new immigrants fleeing successive wars.
Voices invites you to join with us as we engage in action to challenge U.S. economic and military warfare waged in the Middle East.
