Dear CPT Chicago Friends,

Our office has been a-buzz these past few weeks as news of U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees hit world headlines.  Both our team in Baghdad and our Chicago office was deluged with media calls wanting to know more about what we knew and reported months ago. 

CPT friends and supporters in Chicago came together during the period leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq because we wanted to take action with like-spirited folks to oppose the war.  Our voices still need to be heard and several groups are organizing opportunities for that to happen in the coming days/weeks.  Details follow regarding:
        1) Iraq War Memorial Day (this Thursday, May 27, 4:00pm at Federal Plaza)
        2) Flowers for Pentecost Healing (this Sunday, May 30, in your churches)
        3) Taste of Democracy (Wednesday, June 30)
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IRAQ WAR MEMORIAL DAY
A Solemn gathering to remember those who have died in Iraq
Thursday, May 27th
4:00 pm - 6:00pm
Federal Plaza in Chicago
PLEASE BRING: flowers, pictures, or other symbols of memorial
Contact Person: John Farrell at Voices in the Wilderness 773-784-8065
Please share this invitation with others.  All are welcome.
        For more than a year, we have stood by as the casualty numbers climbed. The realities of those casualties have been hidden from most of us.  We have not seen the flag-draped caskets returning home, we have not heard the names or accurate numbers of civilian casualties.  There has been no mention of the number of Iraqi soldiers killed.
        We know that more than 10,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed.
We know that thousands of Iraqi soldiers have been killed.
We know that more than 780 US military have been killed, as well as US civilian contractors.   
        It is time to remember!
Join us for a solemn, reverent memorial to the soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives in the Iraq war.  We will gather coffins in the Federal Plaza, representing the number of US soldiers and the numbers of Iraqi soldiers and civilians who have died in this war.
        Again, we invite you to bring flowers, pictures, or other symbols of memorial as we remember the names and the casualty of life lost in this war.
        Sponsored and supported by:  Circle of Life Affinity Group, 8th Day Center for Justice, West Suburban Faith-based Peace Coalition, Voices in the Wilderness, American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi Illinois, Fellowship of Reconciliation - Chicago Chapter, United for Peace - Faithful Citizenship, Illinois SOA Watch, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, and others.

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FLOWERS FOR PENTECOST HEALING & REMEMBERING
A call from Christian Peacemaker Teams to Christians around the world.
        CPT invites Christians who wish to honor life in the midst of a world of torture, shame and faith to compose a special bouquet of flowers for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 30, 2004 to be presented as part of a liturgy, offertory procession or an announcement with the following spoken and written words in course of worship.  (Flowers from various people's yards might be offered as part of the presentation.)
        "We present these flowers in memory of those who have been killed and those who have killed.  We present these flowers in memory of those who have been unfairly detained or tortured and those who have tortured.  We present these flowers as signs for hope and healing for those who have been shamed and those who are ashamed.  And we pray for a spiritual outpouring of new life on all humankind."
        Following the Sunday worship service, we encourage congregations to place this bouquet in a public place like a shopping center, a Federal Building, an educational institution, or a military recruitment center with a written statement, signed by the congregation, similar to the above liturgy.  Participants could complete the ceremony with the release of a dove.  This ceremony in a public place may be of interest to local media and someone in your group may wish to send press releases to the media outlets in your area.
        CPT also suggests that Christians and supporters of a transformed world wear a flower at work sites and public events and be prepared to explain why they are doing so.  Participants may wish to have explanations written in the spirit of the above liturgy printed on fliers or cards to hand out to those who ask why they are wearing the flowers.

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TASTE OF DEMOCRACY?
Peace Pledge-Chicago demonstration on June 30th at Congress & Michigan at 5:00 (4:30 for leafleting) “to challenge Bush's plans to hand over ‘control’ of Iraq to a puppet regime.  It will not change the US occupation of Iraq nor the Iraqi people's growing desire for the US to get out.”
        Initial ideas include:  1) A puppet show corresponding to THE PUPPET GOVERNMENT and 2) TASTE OF DEMOCRACY? as the Taste of Chicago is happening just a short distance away.  Planning meetings are on Monday nights.  Contact Melinda Power for details: 773-278-6706.