[JPI] anti-Armitage/Iraq demo at graduation

[Cecelia Hawkins]

>From Danny Yeager:

A peaceful demonstration is being planned for prior to the 2 p.m. Texas A&M 
commencement at Reed Arena where Richard Armitage will speak on Friday, 
August 13. This peaceful demonstration is to express disgust at Armitage, 
his invitation by Texas A&M, and especially the war in Iraq that Armitage -- 
one of the notorious neocons surrounding President Bush -- was instrumental 
in planning.  Please join us if you at all can.
     Armitage is a poor choice as commencement speaker because of his 
involvement in the planning and execution of the Iraq war. A prominent 
"neoconservative," Armitage has been involved in the Project for the New 
American Century, a group whose call for the invasion of Iraq preceded the 
attacks of September 11, 2001. Armitage was also implicated in the 
Iran-Contra scandal and, because of this activity, was denied an appointment 
as Assistant Secretary of State in 1989.  Information that came out during 
the trial of the Oliver North specifically named Armitage as one of the 
Department of Defense officials responsible for illegal transfers of weapons 
to Iran and the Contras. In 1984, Armitage was investigated by President 
Ronald Reagan's Commission on Organized Crime. In addition, Armitage served 
on the board of CACI, a company that supplied interrogators to Abu Ghraib 
prison, one of whom was singled out in the report on abuses by U.S. Army 
Major General Antonio Taguba.
     We plan on meeting outside the entrance to Reed Arena that faces Olsen 
Field and the Rec Center around 1 p.m.  According to Karan Watson, Dean of 
Faculties at Texas A&M, the entire campus is now considered a "free speech" 
zone, so we anticipate no problems associated with the former declaration of 
specific "free speech" areas on campus. People are encouraged to make and 
bring their own signs if they would like.  Just showing up and being there 
without a sign is certainly fine too.  I've talked with a local artist and 
former sign painter who has volunteered to also make up some more 
professional looking signs for us if someone wishes to hold one of them.  
The demonstration will end slightly after 2 p.m.
      Parking on campus near Reed Arena should be plentiful and easily 
available since it's commencement.  However, if you would rather not drive 
on campus, parking is available at the Unitarian Fellowship (305 Wellborn).  
>From there it's an easy walk to Reed Arena.  Also, Hugh Steans has 
volunteered to shuttle people over to Reed Arena from the Unitarian 
Fellowship parking lot and back after the demonstration. For more 
information contact Hugh at hugh at stearnsconstruction.biz.
     Come join the demonstration if you at all can -- for the entire 
demonstration or just for a few minutes.  The weather is supposed to cool 
off so it shouldn't be too hot.  It's important to state our opposition to 
the invitation of Armitage, his neo-conservative policies, and the 
unnecessary war in Iraq.
      Please also share this information with others you know who may be 
interested and post on other lists you belong to.  Thanks!

                   Danny


Danny Yeager
Phone and FAX at home: (979) 696-8695
Cell: (979) 777-8758

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/