Declaring ‘Power In Numbers’, People Rally Nationwide for Peace with Iran
(COMMON DREAMS) Sarah Lazare — People across the United States are taking to the streets, rallying at their local representatives’ offices, and submitting open letters on Wednesday calling on Congress to choose a path to peace, not war, by saying yes to the nuclear dealbetween world powers and Iran.
The national day of action was organized by a coalition that includes MoveOn, National Iranian American Council (NIAC), WinWithoutWar, and United for Peace and Justice, with over 200 actions from coast to coast. Brian Stewart, media relations director for MoveOn, told Common Dreams that tens of thousands of people nationwide also signed petitions, slated for delivery to lawmakers on Wednesday.
The coordinated mobilizations come as Congress nears the end of the August recess, after which lawmakers will vote on the pact—potentially as soon as September 9. As per recently-passed legislation, the U.S. House and Senate were given a total of 60 days to review the final deal.
If lawmakers were to vote against the deal, and amass the votes to override a presidential veto, Obama’s hands would be tied on sanctions relief and the deal would sink. However, European Union nations are already showing more enthusiasm to engage, in what some say is a sign of the growing isolation of anti-diplomacy forces, from the United States to Israel.