The protest is directed at Representative Earl Blumenauer who has refused to join in calling for articles of impeachment against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Blumenauer will present the keynote speech at the Rebooting Democracy Conference sponsored by the Bus Project.
Demonstrators called upon the Bus Project to find a speaker who is more supportive of holding Bush and Cheney accountable for numerous violations of the U.S. laws and the. When the Bus Project chose not to replace Blumenauer, protestors decided to demonstrate at the conference.
Many of those demonstrating are veterans of the U.S. Military. Joe Walsh, who is also known as the Love Vet, is one of the Friday protest organizers. He also initiated weekly protests in front of Blumenauer's office that are now in their 23rd week. Walsh and two others were arrested for impeding access to Blumenauer's office building on December 20. Walsh is frustrated that Blumenauer continues to ignore the majority of his constituents who support impeachment. His motivation for the protest is simple: "Earl Blumenauer is my voice in the House of Representatives and refuses to stop, in any meaningful way, the corruption that is now called the Bush Administration. Impeachment hearings must start now, today and not tomorrow. I will protest everywhere Rep. Blumenauer goes until President Bush and Vice President Cheney are out of office or Blumenauer calls for impeachment." Joe Walsh's full statement is attached.
Veterans for Peace are also central to the Friday protest and will have members from Portland and Eugene in attendance. Grant Remmington, of the Portland Chapter of Veterans for Peace, says he is disgusted with the failure of elected representatives to stop the war and to impeach Bush and Cheney who have violated their oaths of office. He says, "Double standards don't cut it with those of us who put our lives on the line while wearing the uniform of the United States. When we joined the Armed Forces we raised our right hand and took an oath that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. If we violated that oath we would face Court Martial and prison. The President and Vice President have violated their oath of office and those who have the responsibility to hold them accountable have refused to do so. By not doing so, they have also violated their oath of office to "...support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;"
For more information on the national Impeachment Movement, contact www.afterdowingstreet.org
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HE HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS
Blumenauer will not hold Cheney/bush accountable and he must be challenged in every way. We must muster up the energy to bring to light who this man represents, he supports the status quo and must be defeated in 2010. Someone must run as an independent against him now to get his/her name out there for the 2010 election. We have 3 years to build an opposition to this man I call the "Earl-Man."
Anniversary of Shame
The 6 year anniversary of the place called Gitmo falls on January 11th. We will wear orange armbands, and I will wear red gloves to remind the "DLC-er" of the blood on his hands. Our demonstration is about impeachment but we will also express our disgust with Blumenauer's silence on this place of horrors. Those responsible for this place must be brought before the Bar of Justice.
Come, join us, and let Blumenauer know wherever he goes he will see a red shirt with the word IMPEACH on it and know we are pissed.
For Justice and Peace,
Joe Walsh---Lone Vet