PEC Joins Local Coalition to Mark 7th Anniversary of U.S. Occupation of Iraq on March 18 – 19, 2010

The Peace Education Center is joining activist and peace groups from Greater Lansing (Michigan)in local actions to mark the 7^th Anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Iraq on March 19, 2010.  All local peace supporters are encouraged to attend the scheduled events.

Michael T. McPhearson

The local coalition will host a public talk by Michael T. McPhearson, the former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace, at Michigan State University’s International Center, Room 115, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010.  McPhearson will join local peace supporters the next day at a peace rally and vigil in front of the State Capitol Building at noon on Friday, March 19, 2010.   He will address the gathering at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday.   All events are free and open to the public.

DETAILS OF TWO LOCAL EVENTS:

• Michael T. McPhearson, former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace
• Speaking at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 18, 2010
• International Center, Room 115
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

• Greater Lansing Peace Rally and Vigil
• With Special Guest Michael T. McPhearson, former Executive Director of Veterans for Peace
• Noon – 1 p.m.
• Friday, March 19, 2010
• Front of State Capitol Building
• Downtown Lansing, Michigan

These local peace actions are being organized by a local coalition including the Peace Education Center, the NorthStar Center, the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice (GLNAWI).  McPhearson’s talk on the MSU campus is also being sponsored by the MSU Peace & Justice Studies Program.

McPhearson and spokespeople from the local event organizers are available to the press for advance interviews by contacting the Peace Education Center at 517-515-5634.  McPhearson will be available for interviews at the State Capitol Building on Friday, March 19, 2010 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

As of March 10, 2010, icasualties.com estimated 4,382 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq during this current occupation and over 31,000 have been wounded.  It is estimated by some international organizations that hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have died during this U.S. military incursion.