On Friday, March 16, local peace activists—known as the War No More 11—occupied both congressional and senate offices at the Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester protesting the illegal war in Iraq.

The group, organized by the Declaration of Peace coalition, occupied the offices of Senators Chuck Shumer and Hilliary Clinton as well as Representative Louise Slaughter`s office declaring they would remain until the Congresspeople would l) de-fund the war and occupation of Iraq, 2) Co-sponsor legislation calling for the safe and rapid withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq and the closure of all military bases in Iraq, 3) bear responsibility for the destruction in Iraq and the cost of reconstruction there, 4) rescind prior agreements giving control of the Iraqi economic sector to occupying forces, and 5) oppose all plans to attack Iran. The occupiers continued to read the names of Iraqi and American dead until the Federal building was officially closed at which time Homeland Security said they were free to leave without charges or otherwise a court appearance ticket would be issued with an automatic $500.00 fine. Three of the occupiers were issued appearance tickets.

Accounts from Friday: Joy by Chava Redonnet | War No More Eleven by Peter Mitchell | Statements from some of the War No More 11

Want to get involved? Come out for discussions on what to do about the illegal war against Iraq and the pending invasion of Iran!