Code pink

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Code Pink Peace March 1 March 2004

Code Pink ( spelling CODEPINK , in one word) is an American pacifist civil rights movement whose goals are to end existing military conflicts, especially the Iraq war , to prevent new wars and to concentrate resources on life-affirming goals such as health care and education. It is mainly worn by women. In its commitment, Code Pink does not shy away from cooperating with the Iranian regime and participating in a conference with Holocaust deniers .

Origin and goals

The group was on 2 October 2002, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi founded, and began in November with a four-month vigil outside the White House in Washington, DC This culminated in a protest march on March 8, 2003, which is International Women's Day on which 10,000 people attended.

According to its own information, Code Pink is a grassroots movement for peace and social justice initiated by women. They oppose what they believe to be fearful policies of the Bush administration that justify violence and want instead a government based on compassion, kindness and the recognition of international law. Code Pink emphasizes the fun and humor of her and her work that seeks to inspire others to participate and inspire a community of peacemakers across the country. The means for this should be creative campaigns and a commitment to nonviolence.

The name Code Pink is an allusion to the color code system introduced by the Bush administration with which the Department of Homeland Security is supposed to inform citizens about the state of defense of the country and the necessary behavior.

In February 2003, just weeks before the American troops invaded Iraq , Code Pink organized its first trip to Iraq with five delegations. One of the groups included parents who had lost their children in Iraq, and another was the parents of soldiers. In return, the organization brought an Iraqi group of six women to the US for a tour of the states and published a report describing the consequences of the American occupation for the status of Iraqi women. Another publication of the group is the book "How to Stop the Next War Now" , in which, among others, treatises by Nancy Pelosi , Jody Williams , Naomi Klein , Benazir Bhutto , Julia Butterfly Hill , Amy Goodman , Cynthia McKinney are included.

activities

Completed actions

Code Pink demonstration in Washington DC on Sept. 15, 2007
  • On September 21, 2006, Code Pink initiated a peace march that was supposed to paralyze all traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge . They were given permission to demonstrate after the morning rush hour at 10 a.m. Instead, the group began the peace march at 7:30 a.m. and left the bridge accident-free at around 10 a.m.
  • On March 20, 2007, a Code Pink protester disrupted a Hillary Clinton fundraiser at work and was removed by security agents. This action was part of a series of Code Pink protests against Clinton, a week later a group of five Code Pink activists opposed Clinton at a conference of the Communications Workers of America, the largest union for communications and media workers.
  • On 22 March 2007 Code Pink protesters were outside the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Nancy Pelosi , arrested when they announced to take over her office. They were protesting against the Democratic Party, which despite its majority vote had not stopped financing the war.
  • On April 28, 2007, Code Pink held a national protest calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney . They claimed the two had "led the nation with lies in a war of aggression, ordered espionage despite clear violations of the law, and sanctioned the use of torture."
  • On September 10, 2007, Code Pink attended General David Petraeus' hearing before the US Congress . Petraeus stated that the objections to security in Iraq had largely been fulfilled and that a long-term mission was necessary there. Code Pink members loudly objected, interrupted the general's testimony at least twice, and were shown being forcibly removed. The chairman of the committee, Ike Skelton, ensured calm and said that the protesters would be punished with the full severity of the law.
  • On October 24, 2007 Desiree Ali-Fairooz approached State Secretary Condoleezza Rice with red paint on her hands and shouted: "The blood of millions of Iraqis is on your hands!" ). She was arrested immediately.
  • On Valentine's Day 2008, the organization organized so-called kiss-ins (see sit-in ) as a protest event. Members were asked to meet and kiss in front of recruitment offices, as well as banners with slogans such as “Make out, not war!” And “Love the troops, hate ” (“Smooch instead of war” based on Make love, not war ) the War ”(“ Loves the troops, hates the war ”).

Current or repeating actions

Every year on Mother's Day , Code Pink organizes Star Marches for Peace. On Mother's Day 2006, Code Pink hosted a 24-hour gathering in Lafayette Park across from the White House, supported and attended by activists including Cindy Sheehan , Susan Sarandon and Patch Adams . Code Pink also organized vigils at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC that have received media criticism.

On its website, Code Pink collects war crimes allegations , alleging that thousands were killed in Fallujah in 2004 as a result of actions by the US military. In 2004, together with other groups, the organization sent aid worth US $ 20,000 to the residents of Fallujah.

Code Pink promotes what is known as counter-recruiting to the US military recruiting events in schools and in recruiting offices.

Members of the group are also asked to hand out flyers claiming that the military recruitment agencies are lying to those they recruit. According to the Code Pink website: “For example, the flyers claim that the recruitment agencies offer potential recruits that the likelihood of being sent to a war zone is very low. On the other hand, according to the flyer, almost all recruits were sent to Iraq or Afghanistan ”.

2014 Participation in the "New Horizon Conference" in Tehran

In 2014 Code Pink participated with a delegation at the second "New Horizon Conference" in Tehran , the follow-up conference to the 2006 Holocaust denial conference in Iran . The Code Pink delegation also met the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the context of the conference . In 2019 there was another trip by a Code Pink delegation to Iran.

2019 call for Jennifer Lopez to boycott Israel

In 2019, Code Pink published its appeal to Jennifer Lopez JLo Don't Go to Apartheid Israel several times, in which they described Israel as an apartheid state.

Honors

Aachen Peace Prize

2014 got Code Pink together with Lebenslaute. classical music - political action were awarded the Aachen Peace Prize, which was presented on September 1st, anti-war day , in the Aachen Aula Carolina .

Margravine Wilhelmine Prize of the City of Bayreuth for tolerance and humanity in cultural diversity

Counter rally at the location of the award ceremony (Audimax of the University of Bayreuth ), in front of the banner of Mayor Brigitte Merk-Erbe

In June 2015 the city of Bayreuth decided to honor Code Pink with the Margravine Wilhelmine Prize of the city of Bayreuth for tolerance and humanity in cultural diversity . After an intervention by the Germany correspondent of the Jerusalem Post , Benjamin Weinthal , Research Fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , with the thematization of an "anti-state attitude towards Israel " and the "participation in a state-organized conference in Tehran [...], at the also designated deniers of the Holocaust are said to have participated ”, said the mayor of Bayreuth, Brigitte Merk-Erbe , in a press release on February 11, 2016, that she would call on the city council to withdraw the decision to award the award. After a public debate in which Benjamin Weinthal's approach was discussed, the city council decided on February 23, 2016 with a narrow majority not to withdraw the award. The award was presented on April 15, 2016. Among others, the four chairmen of the German-Israeli parliamentary group in the German Bundestag ( Volker Beck , Gitta Connemann , Kerstin Griese and Jan Korte ), the Israeli ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman , the Israeli consul general Dan Shaham and the president of the German-Israeli society Hellmut The royal family protested against the awarding of the award to the organization and accused it of anti-Semitic or anti-Israeli activities.

Criticism of Code Pink

Code Pink activist at a vigil, February 2003

Code Pink, or individual Code Pink executives, have been criticized primarily for two things:

  • The vigils at the military hospitals were felt and described as disrespectful to the wounded soldiers.
  • They supported Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez , who was repeatedly accused in the US media of human rights abuses and evaded the democratic process.

The organization responded to these allegations by stating that the vigils were torn apart by non-organization workers and that the allegations against Chavez were false.

The organization's co-founder, Medea Benjamin , took part in the controversial 2nd New Horizon Conference in Tehran in 2014 .

Demonstrations at the Walter Reed Medical Center

Code Pink has been criticized for actions taken during the demonstrations at the Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington DC. However, Code Pink describes these demonstrations as "vigils not protests" and argues that the underlying motivation is to draw attention to the lack of care for the veterans. In their press release it says: "Since we started these vigils, we have the feeling that we have helped to draw attention to the needs of the soldiers and to achieve positive results." The main point of criticism are actions such as the setting up of coffins and that Singing aggressive slogans. Kevin Pannell, amputee and former patient at the hospital, said of the coffins that were put up: “It was probably the most tasteless thing I have ever seen. Ever. We stopped by there one day and I drove by and the war opponents had put a pile of flag-covered coffins on the sidewalk. 95% of the men in these hospital beds lost a comrade when they were injured themselves. Feeling guilty about surviving is one of the worst things you can ever have to deal with. ”Code Pink responded by saying,“ In the past few weeks the guard has been attracting people who have tried to set the tone and to change the message of our vigils, including shouting inappropriate things and holding up signs. ”They claim that these disturbing protesters are not part of their group and that they have been asked several times to behave respectfully. Code Pink also suggested that these protesters appeared with the intention of "infiltrating and disrupting the vigil"

Tucker Carlson interview

Talk show host Tucker Carlson criticized Code Pink president Medea Benjamin for supporting Hugo Chavez. She was quoted as saying that the US media had launched the myth that Chavez had abolished freedom of expression and civil rights in Venezuela. In an interview on his MSNBC show, he asked Benjamin, "Are you suggesting the news that Chavez shut down the last national opposition television network for criticizing himself was inaccurate?" Benjamin replied that was not true, and everything what happened would be that Chavez did not renew the license for the station because it was involved in "a coup against the democratically elected government, his (Chavez ') government". Benjamin also said, “Peru recently did not renew a license either. Uruguay did not renew a license. Why are you applying a different standard to Venezuela? ”Carlson replied that a 360-page government-published book accused RCTV, the Chavez-closed television station, of showing a lack of respect for authorities and institutions. Carlson asked Benjamin, "I would think that in such a case a woman who describes herself as liberal would be on the side of those accused of 'challenging authorities and institutions.' And yet you excuse the destruction of a minority representation. How can that be? "Benjamin replied," You (RCTV) have falsified information. You have people out on the street. They falsified a report showing Chavez supporters killing, which never actually happened. They refuse to report on any Chavez-friendly demonstration. "

Commentary by George W. Bush

In a speech on November 1, 2007, President Bush criticized Code Pink, along with other anti-war groups: “When it comes to supporting our troops financially, some in Washington should take more time to listen to warnings from terrorists like Osama bin Laden and to react to the demands of our commanders on site and less to respond to the demands of the MoveOn.org bloggers and the Code Pink demonstrators. "

Web links

Commons : Code Pink  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Code Pink Website: "Mission Statement" ( Memento of the original dated February 12, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepink4peace.org
  2. ↑ The Nation: Rachel Corbett, Anja Tranovich: The Normalcy of Fear , published on March 20, 2006 (English)
  3. ↑ Evans, Jodie and Benjamin, Medea, “ How to Stop the Next War Now: Effective Responses to Violence and Terrorism, ” New World Library, 2005, ISBN 1930722494
  4. ↑ Marin Independent Journal: Code Pink's war protest jams bridge traffic. September 22, 2006 ( Memento of the original from November 11, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.marinij.com
  5. ↑ The Hill: Clinton: "It's Just Not Fair". March 23, 2007 (Engl.)
  6. ↑ Teddy Davis: Code Pink Targets Clinton. In: ABC News Political Radar. March 27, 2007 ( Memento of the original from January 26, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / blogs.abcnews.com
  7. ^ The Hill: Anti-war protestors arrested at Pelosi's office. March 22, 2007 (Engl.)
  8. ↑ Code Pink: Women for Peace: Impeach President Bush ( Memento of the original dated February 12, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepink4peace.org
  9. ↑ Peter Baker & Jonathan Weisman: Petraeus Backs Initial Pullout: General Praises Progress, Warns Against "Rushing to Failure" . In: Washington Post . September 11, 2007
  10. ↑ Simon Perez: Berkeley Marine Center Draws Anti-War Ire ( February 23, 2008 memento in the Internet Archive ). In: cbs5.com .
  11. ^ Riya Bhattacharjee: Code Pink Protests Marine Recruitment Center . In: Berkeley Daily Planet. September 28, 2007
  12. ↑ The News: "Bloodied" anti-war protester gets in face of "criminal" Rice. October 25, 2007 (Engl.)
  13. ↑ Code Pink: Valentine's Day Kiss-In at Military Recruiting Centers ( Memento of the original dated February 7, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepink4peace.org
  14. ↑ William Hughes in the Baltimore Chronicle COMMENTARY: "Code Pink Challenges White House" , published on 15 May 2006 (Engl.)
  15. ^ A b c Marc Morano : Anti-War Protests Target Wounded at Army Hospital ( Memento from June 20, 2008 in the Internet Archive ). In: CNSNews.com.
  16. ↑ Code Pink Website: "Families For Peace Delegation" ( Memento of the original from July 4, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepinkalert.org
  17. ↑ Code Pink Website: Home »Campaigns» Counter-Recruitment ( Memento of the original from February 13, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepinkalert.org
  18. ↑ Code Pink: "Make Out Not War" (PDF; 1.4 MB) ( Memento of the original dated February 16, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepink4peace.org
  19. ↑ US Journalist Regrets Attending Conspiracy Conference In Tehran , BuzzFeed News October 6, 2014
  20. ↑ Ex-CAIR Official & Code Pink Leader At Iran Hate Conference by David Harris, Clarion Project October 5, 2014
  21. ↑ Iranian Hatefest Promotes Anti-Semitism, Draws Holocaust Deniers and US Anti-Israel Activists , Anti-Defamation League October 1, 2014
  22. ↑ Holocaust deniers met again in Iran Truther in Tehran , by Stephan Grigat , Jungle World October 9, 2014
  23. ^ The Second International 'New Horizon' Conference in Tehran Draws Leading Holocaust Deniers, Conspiracy Theorists, And BDS Activists From Around The World - And Is Backed And Supported By Iranian Regime , Memri October 15, 2014
  24. ^ The anti-Semitism Fest Where Russian Spies, Code Pink, David Duke and the Nation of Islam Make Friends and Influence People, by Alexander Reid Ross, Haaretz March 14, 2019
  25. ↑ Day 3-CODEPINK meets Iran's Foreign Minister
  26. ↑ Code Pink's trip to Iran is a 'Peace Delegation' in name only , Jerusalem Post January 20, 2019
  27. ↑ JLo Do not Go to Apartheid Israel
  28. ↑ No, no, no, JLo don't go to apartheid Israel!
  29. ↑ Prize winners 2014 CodePink and Lebenslaute ( Memento of the original from August 12, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , aachener-friedenspreis.de , accessed on May 8, 2014. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.aachener-friedenspreis.de
  30. ↑ Press release City of Bayreuth: Bayreuth: Wilhelmine von Bayreuth Prize for US civil rights movement “Code Pink” . In: pressemeldung-bayern.de . June 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved March 30, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.pressemeldung-bayern.de
  31. ↑ Benjamin Weinthal Research Fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
  32. ↑ Lord Mayor Brigitte Merk-Erbe: Awarding of the award to “Code Pink” will again occupy the city council - . In: bayreuth.de . February 11, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  33. ↑ Michael Weise: Code Pink: Where's the Discussion? | North Bavarian courier . In: nordbayerischer-kurier.de . February 16, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  34. ↑ Frank Schmälzle: City Councilor: Code Pink receives tolerance price | North Bavarian courier . In: nordbayerischer-kurier.de . February 24, 2016. Accessed March 30, 2016.
  35. ↑ Code Pink receives Tolerance Prize in: Nordbayerischer Kurier from February 25, 2016, p. 1
  36. ^ Ceremony with undertones in: Nordbayerischer Kurier from 16./17. April 2016, p. 11
  37. ↑ Bayreuth Prize for “Code Pink” at jungewelt.de on February 26, 2016, accessed on April 15, 2016
  38. ^ "Code Pink" speaks of "defamation" ( memento of May 28, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) at br.de of February 27, 2016, accessed on April 15, 2016
  39. ↑ Israel's ambassador criticizes city council in: Nordbayerischer Kurier of February 26, 2016, p. 11
  40. ↑ a b c d e MSNBC: "Tucker" interview from May 30, 2007 (engl.)
  41. ↑ a b c Code Pink press release of August 26, 2005: Statement on Vigil Outside of Walter Reed Hospital ( Memento of the original of January 14, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (engl.)  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.codepink4peace.org
  42. ↑ Iran once again provided a stage for Holocaust deniers. www.kleinezeitung.at, October 5, 2014
  43. ↑ "When it comes to funding our troops, some in Washington should spend more time responding to the warnings of terrorists like Osama bin Laden and the requests of our commanders on the ground and less time responding to the demands of MoveOn.org bloggers and Code Pink protesters. ” Washington Post, November 1, 2007, William Ranigin, Dan Eggen:“ Bush Backs Attorney General Nominee ” (Eng.)