From the newswire: "[Starting February 15, 2006], while most of us are dialing our thermostats up to the max, microwaving multiple cups of hot chocolate and huddling around our televisions, a few dedicated Chicagoans will give up electricity in order to draw attention to the electricity shortage in Iraq. These folks really mean it: their electricity fast, "Lights Out Chicago," will last from February 15 to March 20[, 2006]. They seek to experience some of the hardships and confront the difficulties that Iraqis are experiencing since their power has been cut short."

"The electricity fast forms a part of The Winter of Our Discontent, a 33-day food fast taking place in Washington DC, organized by the Uptown-based group Voices for Creative Nonviolence (VCNV). These fasters will call for an end to the US-led occupation of Iraq, reparations for the damage done by the war, and full funding for the reconstruction of Iraq, among other demands, according to Jeff Leys, one of the action's coordinators." Read more

Additional resources: Report of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (PDF)