Mike Thompson represents the 1st Congressional District of California. He previously voted against supplemental spending bills for the Iraq war. However, he voted in favor of the $100 billion plus supplemental spending bill just passed by the House of Representatives.
Organizers have been hard at work since January 5, focusing first upon his offices in Fort Bragg and Eureka and now extending to his offices in Woodland as well as Napa.
Civil disobedience occured at his office in Eureka, CA on March 26, resulting in two arrests.
Following is the March 28 update from Paul Encimer of the campaign.
UNGRATEFUL DEAD “DIE IN” AT THOMPSON OFFICES, PREPARE FOR CD
Monday March 26th, peace activists will be gathering from 10 am in front of Congressman Mike Thompson’s Eureka 3rd St. office and his N. Franklin office in Ft.Bragg. Civil disobedience actions are called for - in line with a nationwide pledge to occupy offices of House members who voted for the 123 billion dollars in supplemental war funds
Thompson’s staff was informed the previous Monday that such CD was a moral imperative for those who want a Ceasefire NOW with immediate, swift and complete withdrawal from Iraq - not a never never land withdrawal that includes another 123 BILLION dollars to a President who lives on lies, war crimes, signing statements and visions of escalation of the war to Iran and beyond.
The Democratic Leadership got the votes to fund the surge with threats against any Progressives who broke ranks. Rep. Waxman, for instance, voted for the Supplemental under the threat of losing his chairmanship. We are seeing a moderate centrist coalition being formed on the Pelosi-Murtha model – not militarists precisely but at the service of the military always. Unfortunately, Thompson’s HR 787 - an Obama clone from the Senate – has offered this new coalition “waivers” that rely on Bush’s veracity and good faith!!! as well as “benchmarks” grading the quality performance of our Iraqi puppet government.
Monday, March 19, more than 50 people took part in Die Ins at Congressman Mike Thompson’s offices in Eureka and Ft. Bragg. Ft. Bragg’s Die In drew about 25 people (including the mayor) and CD was initiated by Jef Schultz and Agnes Woolsey. Five other women participated in blocking Franklin St. 3 police cars and 20 minutes later Jef , Agnes and the other blockaders opted to not go to jail.
In Eureka this time around, two dozen participants stood behind three great banners which stretched half a block, denouncing the war, and calling for the impeachment of the Cheney-Bush war criminals. Eventually about 15 activists trooped in to the office swathed in bloody rags and garments. Although the idea was to “Look Dead for godsake”! participants took their usual seats on floor and furniture .The typical one-sided debate raged on with Thompson’s staff having little to say except it was time for lunch. This Die In was Eureka ‘s tenth straight visit to the Congressman’s office on successive Mondays.
To some of us the Barbara Lee Amendment gave a moment of hope. Surge money, according to Lee, would go only to pay for surging troops out of Iraqi, not throwing more into the conflict. Thompson earlier told CodePink women in Ft. Bragg that he accepted the Barbara Lee amendment in principle. What worried him, he said, was upsetting the new bipartisan right wing coalition “compromise” and the effect the Lee Amendment might have on the Party’s future in 2008. Pelosi spared him the anguish and forbade amendments.
Last Monday’s pair of die-ins were meant to dramatize to Congressman Thompson - and his staff – and the world of taxpayers - that paying for the war for another year bought us another 1400 dead American soldiers (to a total circa 4500) and 200,000 dead Iraqis (adding up to around 1 million.). Just as the Clinton blockade killed a forgotten million Iraqis, these Americans and Iraqis are dying in the Democrats’ War now. This time we aren’t forgetting.
Although Congressman Thompson claims to want a Mass Movement for withdrawal, he ignores the one we have. Instead, he and the Democratic leadership expects our movement to follow a suicidal party line crafted for rich Congressional moderates and conservatives. “Don’t rock the boat,” is their cry while the boat is sinking.
We are at a turning point. The good cop, bad cop charade of recent American politics is being replaced with a movement that wants results, not election strategies – unless of course these strategies include running Peace Candidates against those who voted Bush his 123 billion dollars.
Join us this Monday, March 26 from 10 am and following Mondays at 3rd St in Eureka and North Franklin in Ft. Bragg.
More info - Paul Encimer 923 4488.
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