*--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--*



IRAQ WAR MEMORIAL DAY Contact: John Farrell

Voices in the Wilderness, 773-784-8065 (o)

                    At the event: 630-768-9305 (c)

*CHICAGO -- On* *Thursday, May 27th, from 4 to 6 pm at the Federal Plaza* (Dearborn and Adams), there will be a solemn gathering to remember those who have been killed in Iraq over the past year.  The memorial will feature* *rows of coffins to represent the proportion of the deaths of US soldiers and Iraqis, along with a reading of names of some of those people killed. Visitors to the memorial will have the opportunity to bring flowers, pictures and other memorial items to place on or near the coffins.

This memorial comes at the heels of two of the deadliest months for US soldiers and Iraqis. Over 138 US soldiers died in April alone (more than the first two months of the invasion), with more than 900 reported as wounded in action (Karl Vick, Washington Post, 4/27/04). Meanwhile, the estimates of Iraqi casualties in April are over 1300, with about 900 Iraqis killed in Falluja from April 1-20 (Christian Science Monitor, 4/20/04). The sharp increase in casualties over the past two months and the promise of more to come, with the fallout from the Abu Ghraib torture scandal yet to be determined, makes it imperative to interrupt 'business as usual' this Memorial Day weekend. We must remember the dead and reflect on the true impact of war and occupation, both here and abroad.

For more than a year, the realities of those casualties have been hidden from most of us.  Until recently, we have not seen the over 800 flag-draped caskets returning home and we have not heard the names or numbers of Iraqi casualties from this war, which most likely exceed 10,000 (iraqbodycount.net).

In the spirit of remembering the dead and hoping for a better future, "Iraq War Memorial Day" will be observed on Thursday in the Federal Plaza, from 4-6 pm, to provide a space for people to reflect, remember and grieve.

Sponsors and supporters of this event include: 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, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, and others.