A town hall meeting, attended by an overflow crowd of more than 250 people, was held in Madison, Wisconsin on July 15, 2008 to address the threat of military action against Iran by the U.S. and/or Israel. The purpose of the gathering and subsequent action is to educate and to mobilize. Five local experts spoke for ten minutes each, then there was an opportunity to ask questions, followed by a focus by the group on action steps to help prevent a war with Iran.

HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED AS THESE EFFORTS MOVE FORWARD

If you would like to be involved with the newly formed IRAN WORKING GROUP, creating plans of action to use diplomacy, not threatening war against Iran – please contact Bonnie Block (email: bblock@charter.net) or Joy First (email: jsfirst@tds.net) . They’re delivering signed petitions to Rep. Baldwin, Senators Feingold/Kohl – and mailing off more petitions to Pres. Bush and VP Cheney…..

To Receive Action Alerts: write to info@wnpj.org, or call the WI Network for Peace and Justice at 608-250-9240..

SUMMARY OF THE JULY 15TH TOWN MEETING ON IRAN

Each member of the panel focused on a specific issue that is fueling the crisis.

* Joe Elder (UW faculty born in Iran ) spoke about the history of US policy toward Iran.

* Allen Ruff (historian, author & activist) spoke about current US covert operations in Iran.

* Tsela Barr (active in Jewish Voice for Peace and Madison-Rafah Sister City Project) spoke about the role of Israel in the Middle East conflict.

* Jeff Patterson (a physician active in Physicians for Social Responsibility) spoke about the nuclear issue.

* Majid Sarmadi (UW faculty member and Iranian American) covered "The reasons why we should not attack Iran."

* Bonnie Block (who visited Iran in 2005 with a delegation from the Fellowship for Reconciliation) was the moderator.

Many members of the co-sponsoring organizations--which include the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Madison Pledge of Resistance, United Nations Association-Dane County Chapter, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Health Writers, Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Madison Area Peace Coalition, and The Clarence Kaillen Chapter of Veterans for Peace--are becoming extremely anxious about an imminent attack on Iran as President Bush continues his rhetoric, stating "all options are on the table". In June Bush met with the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert. After the meeting, Olmert, said, "George Bush understands the severity of the Iranian threat and the need to vanquish it, and intends to act on that matter before the end of his term in the White House."

And now The House of Representatives is considering a resolution (H. Con. Res. 362) that could effectively demand a naval blockade against Iran, which is tantamount to an act of war. Rep. Steve Kagan (D. Green Bay) and Ron Kind (D. LaCrosse) have co-sponsored this resolution and it appears that Congress will vote on it before the August recess.

The events organizers state: "That is why we, the people, must stand up and take action NOW! The consequences of a war with Iran would be devastating for the world, m ake oil prices sky-rocket, further waste U.S. resources on war instead of funding urgent domestic needs, and might well further endanger our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most importantly, many innocent children, women, and men would needlessly suffer and die. Those of us who want a peaceful world must educate ourselves and do everything we can to prevent our government from expanding its ineffective military adventures and instead focus on diplomacy and the rule of law to resolve this conflict. People around the country are starting to mobilize for action and Madisonians must join them.... "

Pre-Event Column in the Wisconsin State Journal by Bonnie Block, President of the United Nations Association-USA/Dane County and Moderator of this program.