Dear John,

Here at CODEPINK, we’re having deja vu all over again! After years of U.S. aggression towards Iran, on January 25 over 200 cities across the globe came together to say NO war with Iran and apologize to the Iranian people. But as you all know, we are still on the brink of war and the people who are pushing for another deadly conflict in the Middle East are the very same who stand to gain the most by going to war. It’s no coincidence that the night that Donald Trump assassinated Soleimani, the stock values at the top five weapons manufacturers in the United States- Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin — increased dramatically. 

It’s now more important than ever to take on war profiteers in our local communities, which is why CODEPINK and our partners are organizing to pass Peace With Iran City Council Resolutions in cities around the country. It’s critical that we engage our local communities and elected officials about who is really pushing for war with Iran so if you’re interested in getting involved, please email [email protected]. We are here to help you plan, organize, and pass a city council resolution for peace with Iran in your local community! You can take action for peace right now and sign our apology letter to the Iranian people showing them that the world wants peace.

Read on to be inspired by work that continues to happen around the country to divest our cities, schools, and elected officials from the war machine.

One of the most fundamental drivers of the War Economy is that our politicians are bought and sold by war profiteers, which is why CODEPINK’s campaign to ask our elected representatives to take the pledge to stop taking campaign contributions from the top five weapons manufacturers is vital to our work. A new wave of progressive challengers are taking on this important issue in their own districts, including Veteran and Congressional candidate Ian Todd who sat down with CODEPINK to talk more about why veterans must oppose the military-industrial complex. Interested in learning how to approach your Congressperson to take the pledge? Email [email protected] to learn more!

Below are more Congressional candidates who have pledged to break the vicious cycle of the military-industrial complex. You can see the full list here.

Actions are also being taken in cities around the country to Divest From the War Machine! Interested in getting involved in any of the campaigns below? Email [email protected] for more information! 

In Oregon, our divest projects continue to pick up steam. Oregon residents can take action now and write a Letter to the Editor of their local newspaper to spread the word about the need to divest today! Portland activists are working to influence the city’s procurement code of conduct to insert language stipulating that the city cannot contract out to businesses involved in human rights abuses and wars overseas. Corvallis activists have gained the support of Council member Charles Maughan who is helping to introduce their Divest resolution to City Council. In Eugene, activists continue to work on their Divest resolution while others prepare to draft another calling for No War with Iran.

In Seattle, you can support our effort to divest public dollars from weapons manufacturers by signing onto our petition as activists continue to plan their meeting with anti-war councilwoman Teresa Mosqueda to divest the city’s assets from weapons manufacturers while councilwoman Kshama Sawant introduced a resolution to call for No War with Iran. 

In Philadelphia, we meet the third Saturday of every month from 2:30-3:30 at Wooden Shoe Books. You can support our efforts by signing our divest Seattle petition. 

In Kansas City, MO a new CODEPINK chapter has formed to divest from the Kansas City National Security Campus, a plant owned by Honeywell International Inc. that produces 85% of all non-nuclear parts for the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal.

Chicago activists have built a promising relationship with Alderman Daniel LaSpata in the hopes of getting a City Council resolution to divest from the war machine passed!

In Washington D.C./Arlington VA, CODEPINK’s very own Paki Wieland was a featured speaker at the Divestment Forum co-hosted by World Beyond War and Beyond the Bomb at Busboys and Poets. They discussed the steps needed to cut ties with the war economy and #Divest Arlington from weapons manufacturers. 

In Austin, TX, students are organizing for change on their campus. A coalition of students at UT Austin are working to divest their university from weapons manufacturers and secured an endorsement from Abby Martin for their important work. This inspiring coalition of students is just getting started! Make sure you follow their progress by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter. You can sign onto their pledge to divest UT Austin from the war machine here. If you’re a UT Austin alumnae or know someone who is, your voice is needed — sign up here to learn how you can support these courageous students. 

Did you hear the news? After pressure from climate change activists, the CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, announced a new set of investment policies that aim to put climate change and sustainability at the center of BlackRock’s business model. This shows that with persistence and a clear moral case for change, we can make a difference! But we have to remain vigilant because it’s our responsibility as activists to ensure that Larry Fink practices what he preaches and changes BlackRock’s investment policies to address climate change. While this is an important first step towards holding BlackRock accountable, our job is still not done. BlackRock continues to make a killing on killing by investing billions in weapons and private prisons. Mark your calendars for the annual BlackRock Shareholder’s meeting happening in May in Manhattan where CODEPINK and allies will be outside to demand that BlackRock STOPS making a killing on killing. Sign up to join us in NYC or to host a solidarity action in your city here! 

Towards a weapons-free future,
Carley, Cody, Jodie, Nancy, and the entire Divest team