Let's Talk about Iraq

Iraq & Middle East Peace Forum at Cal State L.A.

Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Cal State Los Angeles
Golden Eagle Building, 3rd Floor, Ballroom
5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032

Moderated by Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK 90.7 FM, and "Afghan Women's Mission"

Speakers Include:

Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi political analyst and consultant to American Friends Service Committee's Iraq Program currently based in Washington, D.C. After the U.S.-led invasion, Jarrar became the country director for CIVIC Worldwide, the only door-to-door casualty survey group in post-war Iraq. He then established Emaar, (meaning "reconstruction" in Arabic); a grassroots organization that provided humanitarian and political aid to Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). Emaar delivered medicine and food as well as helped initiate micro-enterprise projects for IDPs. Additionally, Emaar engaged in political advocacy on behalf of displaced populations.

Ann Wright resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service on March 19, 2003, while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Mongolia. She resigned due to her disagreement with the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the lack of effort in resolving the Israel-Palestinian situation, the lack of policy on North Korea and unnecessary curtailment of civil liberties in the United States. Ms. Wright joined the Foreign Service in 1987 and served as Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia and briefly in Afghanistan. Before entering the Foreign Service, she served in the Army and has a combined regular Army/Army Reserve service time of 29 years. She served primarily in special operations units and attained the rank of Colonel. Ann Wright will also have her book for sale at the event, called "Dissent Voices of Conscience" about how government insiders speak out against the Iraq War.

Edgar Cuevas was stationed in Germany for three years as a Cavalry Scout for the United States Army. Twelve days before his contract was about to expire he was Stop Lossed and forced to serve in Iraq for a year and a half. He served in Iraq from February of 2004 through March of 2005. He was stationed in Tikrit and witnessed innocent people being mishandled and tortured. He is a member of 'Iraq Veterans Against the War" in Los Angeles.

Sponsored by the "Student Friends Service Committee of CSULA". Co-sponsored by the Humanist Association at CSULA. For more info call 310-795-2235.