WASHINGTON (ABP) — Although the Senate is stalemated over how strongly to protest President Bush's plan to escalate the Iraq war, a wide array of Christian groups will march on the White House — and perhaps get arrested — March 16 to protest the escalation.
Evangelical, Catholic, mainline Protestant, Pentecostal and other Christian groups opposed to the war announced their plan Feb. 6. They will begin the protest with a worship service at the National Cathedral, a candlelight procession to the White House, and acts of nonviolent civil disobedience at the executive mansion.
Organizers said the protest “will call for an end to the U.S. occupation, real support for our troops, a total rejection of torture and an international commitment to the physical and human reconstruction that is so desperately needed in Iraq.”
They have labeled the event the “Christian Peace Witness for Iraq” and set up a website (www.christianpeacewitness.org) for churches and individuals to register for the event and similar local observances.
Groups involved include the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, the Lutheran Peace Fellowship, the Catholic Peace Fellowship and the Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship.
-30-