Lobby For Conscience, Monday, May 16, 2005
| Can't make it to DC? Click here for information on lobbying locally. |
The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund invites you to participate in our annual Lobby Day with the Center on Conscience and War on Monday, May 16. Join with other conscientious objectors to military violence to speak out against forced conscription in the military – whether it is our bodies or our tax dollars that are used to kill.
This year’s Lobby Day will feature a press conference in the Capitol to announce the kick-off of the “I Will Not Kill” Campaign This campaign is an effort of a variety of peace organizations to affirm the right of conscientious objection and oppose any future draft with a focus on educating high school and college age youth.
We invite you to lobby here in DC, or in your Representative’s district office. Click the links below for more details.
Please RSVP and e-mail questions to: timgodshall@peacetaxfund.org or call 1-888-732-2382
9 a.m. – Lobbying workshop and issue briefing in the Methodist Building.
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Lobby visits and debriefing at the Methodist Building (our room will be available all day for lunch, relaxation, or talking about your visits)
3:30 p.m. – “I Will Not Kill” Campaign Press Conference, Capitol Basement, Room #HC9
The Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, is just across the street from the Capitol and the Supreme Court. It is located at the intersection of Maryland Ave NE and 1st Street NE.
Via Metro Red Line: Exit at Union Station. Find 1st St NE and follow it south for several blocks. Soon after you cross Constitution Ave, you will see the Methodist Building on your left.
Via Metro Orange/Blue Lines: Exit at Capitol South. Walk north on 1st St SE past the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. The Methodist Building will be on your right at Maryland Avenue.
What We’re Lobbying For and Against
What we’re lobbying for:
The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, if passed, would establish a non-military fund into which conscientious objectors could pay their federal taxes. In the 108th Congress, 44 representatives cosponsored this legislation. On May 16 we will work to increase that number in the 109th Congress by asking our representatives to provide alternative service for our drafted dollars: support the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill!
What we’re lobbying against:
More and more signs point toward the return of a military draft. In the wake of another “national emergency” (i.e., an invasion of another country) there will be more serious calls for the draft. On May 16 we will educate Congress about conscience and put forth a strong voice against the draft.
Find Your Representative
You can find your elected officials by typing your address or zip+4 into the form at Congress.org.
To schedule an appointment with your representative, call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Ask for your representative or senator by name. When his or her office answers, ask for the person responsible for the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill in order to set up your appointment.
Please let us know the times and offices with which you are meeting. If other people want to meet with the same rep. or senator, we can inform them of any appointments already arranged. Please e-mail timgodshall@peacetaxfund.org or call 888-732-2382 to let us know about your appointments.