Patriot for Peace: Patriot for Peace: Connecting the Dots Connecting the Dots from Iraq to from Iraq to to Gaza Afghanistan to Gaza

Thursday, October 11, 7pm Thursday, October 11, 7pm Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane Church of Spokane 4340 Ft. George Wright Dr. 4340 Ft. George Wright Dr. No Charge No Charge

Col. Ann Wright speaks to "connect the dots" between America's wars Col. Ann Wright speaks to "connect the dots" between America's wars and the cost to its victims, those who are under the bombs and those paying for and the cost to its victims, those who are under the bombs and those paying for them, as this October brings us to 11 years of America's war on Afghanistan, them, as this October brings us to 11 years of America's war on Afghanistan, this country's longest-running war. this country's longest-running war.

Col. Ann Wright resigned from the Department of State in 2003 in opposition Col. Ann Wright resigned from the Department of State in 2003 in opposition to the . She is a retired Army Reserve and 29-year veteran of to the Iraq war. She is a retired Army Reserve colonel and 29-year veteran of the Army and Army Reserves, US diplomat in , , , the Army and Army Reserves, US diplomat in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, , , , Micronesia, Afghanistan and . Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Afghanistan and Mongolia. She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience: Government Insiders She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience: Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq,” writing "the real betrayal would have Speak Out Against the War in Iraq,” writing "the real betrayal would have been to stand by silently while our leaders were implementing policies been to stand by silently while our leaders were implementing policies destructive to our country and the world." destructive to our country and the world."

Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace. She fasted for a Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace. She fasted for a month, picketed at the US prison at Guantánamo, Cuba, served as a juror in month, picketed at the US prison at Guantánamo, Cuba, served as a juror in Bush impeachment hearings, traveled to Iran as a citizen diplomat, and has Bush impeachment hearings, traveled to Iran as a citizen diplomat, and has been arrested numerous times for peaceful, nonviolent protest of Bush’s been arrested numerous times for peaceful, nonviolent protest of Bush’s policies, particularly the war on Iraq. She has been on delegations to Iran and policies, particularly the war on Iraq. She has been on delegations to Iran and was in Gaza three times in 2009, following the Israeli attack on Gaza that was in Gaza three times in 2009, following the Israeli attack on Gaza that killed 1,440 and wounded 5,000. She was an organizer for the Gaza Freedom killed 1,440 and wounded 5,000. She was an organizer for the Gaza Freedom March that brought 1,350 persons from 44 countries to Cairo, Egypt, in March that brought 1,350 persons from 44 countries to Cairo, Egypt, in solidarity with the people of Gaza. She was on the May, 2010 Gaza flotilla that solidarity with the people of Gaza. She was on the May, 2010 Gaza flotilla that was attacked by the Israeli military and was an organizer for the US Boat to was attacked by the Israeli military and was an organizer for the US Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, in the 2011 Gaza flotilla. Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, in the 2011 Gaza flotilla.

Col Wright is now organizing with Gaza's Ark, which will build a boat in Col Wright is now organizing with Gaza's Ark, which will build a boat in Gaza, to be sailed out of Gaza by a crew of internationals and Palestinians, Gaza, to be sailed out of Gaza by a crew of internationals and Palestinians, carrying Palestinian products to fulfill trade deals with international buyers. carrying Palestinian products to fulfill trade deals with international buyers.

Co-sponsored by Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane, Veterans for Co-sponsored by Peace & Justice Action League of Peace, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane Spokane and Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane [email protected] 838-7870 pjals.org [email protected] 838-7870 pjals.org