Dear John,

🥳 We’re winning 🥳 The Biden Administration announced yesterday that they are ending all offensive support for the war on Yemen. This came after almost six years of tireless advocacy from CODEPINKers like you. This is a huge win, and we hope you celebrate it. We hope it is the first step towards ending this war that has killed thousands and brought grief to millions. 

President Biden also called for a ceasefire and peace talks. How does the Biden Administration expect the Houthis to come to the table if there is still a terrorist designation looming over them?  Demand that Secretary Blinken reverse the terrorist designation on the Houthis in order to speed up and create more equitable peace talks.

CODEPINK has been in the movement for Yemen since 2015, and this news is just a testament to the power of the peace movement and proof that there are so many people dedicated to a world without US militarism and intervention. Activism works. During our World Says No to War on Yemen Global Webinar last week, Dr. Shireen Al-Adeimi said  “Continue fighting for the sake of 30 million Yemenis no matter how long it takes, no matter how lonely it gets, no matter how difficult it is, because Yemen matters and Yemen can’t wait.” This isn’t over quite yet, but this news sparked tears of joy for so many. 

These peace talks that President Biden mentioned come with a sense of urgency. We must remember that it’s not over until it’s over — and there are ways to make this peace process easier for the people involved. Secretary Blinken must understand that until the foreign terrorist designation of the Houthis is completely reversed by the State Department, it could be a massive obstacle towards peace. Tell Blinken to immediately reverse the Houthi terrorist designation. 

Read CODEPINK’s full statement by our co-founder Medea Benjamin, our co-director Ariel Gold, and our Yemen Campaign Coordinator Danaka Katovich here. All the petitions you sign, all the actions you take, all the protests you go to, and all the politicians you call make a difference. After six long years, we are happy to say that we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Toward peace, 
Danaka, Ariel, Carley, Ann, Angela, Ciara, Cody, Emily, Farida, Grace, Jodie, Kelsey, Leila, Leonardo, Maxine, Mary, Medea, Nancy, Paki, Sana, and Teri.

P.S. Did you know that the first cup of coffee was brewed in Yemen? Go Beyond the War with us and RSVP to our discussion with Yemeni coffee expert Mokhtar Alkhanshali. RSVP here!