19 years ago today, the United States invaded Iraq, sending 2,000-pound bombs and nearly 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles loaded with thousands of pounds of explosives into Baghdad.
Upwards of 200,000 Iraqi people were ultimately killed as a direct result of the war that followed.
Many of you reading remember the protests against that war, or likely marched in them yourself — outraged that a powerful nation would ignore international law, abandon diplomacy, and choose to use overwhelming military force with devastating consequences. But did you know that the law that allowed for that disastrous invasion of Iraq — the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) — is still on the books and open to misuse today?
That’s why what’s happening now is a big deal: today, people across the globe and here in the United States are deeply aware of the enormous cost of war. It means we have a critical moment to build power and push Congress to repeal the 2002 AUMF — and we need your help to get to the finish line.
Our team is working quietly in the corridors of the U.S. Capitol and loudly in the streets to tear up the blank check war authorizations and we’re closer than ever before. Activists like you fuel our work, but fewer than 2% of people reading will give. Can you donate $15 right now to help us tip the scale to #EndEndlessWar?
Years after the Iraq war, our devastating, military-first approach continues to treat Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and so many other countries as the killing fields for U.S. violence — regardless of the human costs.
Here’s what we know: There is no justification for the invasion and occupation of foreign countries by the United States, Russia, or any other country. In 2003, that meant we were opposed to George W. Bush invading Iraq. Today, it means we’re equally opposed as Vladimir Putin wages war in Ukraine.
But key laws like the 2002 AUMF are what allow for president after president in the United States to wage war across the globe. In fact, it happened just two years ago when Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, bringing Iran and the United States to the brink of a catastrophic war.
It’s time to close this door — and that means repealing outdated war authorizations like the 2002 AUMF. This moment will be crucial: with outrage over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing public awareness of our forever wars’ toll, the pressure is mounting for Congress to act — because Congress is how we stop this.
Congress, along with President Biden, is actually in favor of repealing the 2002 AUMF. But warhawks — and the war lobby — want to keep this endless war law on the books. That’s why we’re pulling out all the stops to keep them from dragging this repeal bill into partisan quagmire.
The fact that we’re here tells you just how much work has happened *outside* of Congress to win approval inside: years of marches, rallies, petitions, calls, reports, lobbying meetings, and movement-wide pressure have brought us to this moment. And many of you have been with us along the way, Tony.
Several years ago, we named our goal to build a progressive foreign policy focused on justice, safety, equity, and peace in a visionary campaign: END ENDLESS WAR.
The debate about our nation’s post-9/11 wars has never been the same, and now we are SO close to achieving this incredible milestone — if we make 2022 our biggest year yet.
Thank you for working for peace,
Sam, Shayna, Yint, and the Win Without War team
| A U.S. foreign policy rooted in human rights and justice won’t happen overnight. If you’re with us for the long haul, consider a monthly donation. |
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© Win Without War 2021
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