Tax Day Protests Against the War Economy

Tax Day Protests Against the War Economy and Paying for War

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ruth Benn, Coordinator
National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)
Brooklyn, New York
800-269-7464 (718-768-3420) or nwtrcc@nwtrcc.org

Brooklyn, NY ¬ On Wednesday, April 15, at post offices, federal buildings, and public squares around the country, last minute taxpayers and passers by will be met with signs demanding “Taxes for Peace Not War!” Handouts will explain what the government tries to obscure: the obscene amount of U.S. tax dollars being spent on war at the expense of jobs, infrastructure, human needs programs¬even a healthy economy.

“It is often believed that wars and military spending increases are good for the economy. In fact, most economic models show that military spending diverts resources from productive uses, such as consumption and investment, and ultimately slows economic growth and reduces employment,” according to economist Dean Baker in a 2007 study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

The Obama administration’s promises to end the war in Iraq¬eventually¬but leaving 50,000 “advisers” in the country sounds more like continued occupation of a sovereign country. The expansion of war in Afghanistan and into Pakistan brings daily reports of more civilian deaths piled onto the thousands already killed by U.S. actions in the region. Obama’s 2010 budget includes further increases for the Pentagon, which is already funded at levels higher than any time since World War II¬hardly an indication that the U.S. is on the road to peace.

Tax day protesters hope to bring attention to the connection between wasteful war spending and the budget crises of states, cities, and towns that are slashing essential programs.

Conscientious objectors to paying for war will be among those making a visible protest on tax day. “Haven’t Paid Federal Taxes Since 1998” is a sign carried by Lincoln Rice in Milwaukee. Don Schrader of Albuquerque carries his “I Refuse to Pay Federal Income Tax for War” sign wherever he goes. Many of these war tax resisters keep their income low to avoid federal taxes; others pay their tax due to charities rather than the IRS, despite the potential consequences. On tax day Boston activists will be among the groups publicly presenting grants from redirected tax dollars to peace, justice, and humanitarian groups.

Similar events will take place around the country. See the listing below, collected by National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, or on the internet at http://www.nwtrcc.org/taxday2009.htm.

The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC), founded in 1982, is a coalition of local, regional and national groups providing information and support to people who are conscientious objectors to paying taxes for war. NWTRCC initiated the War Tax Boycottin 2008, which includes a list of public war tax refusers at wartaxboycott.org.

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War tax resisters are available for interviews. Please contact NWTRCC if you need contacts in your area.

LIST OF TAX DAY ACTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009

List in formation. Updated at http://www.nwtrcc.org/taxday2009.htm.

CALIFORNIA
Bay Area – Northern California War Tax Resistance, http://www.nowartax.org. April 14, 7 - 8 pm: In front of Herbst Theater, where Amy Goodman will be speaking about “Standing Up to the Madness” to help show attendees one way they can stand up. April 15: 6 - 9 am at Glen Park BART, where we will attract the early morning media, and then educate the commuter foot traffic with our display and hand-outs. April 15th, 11 am – 1 pm, at Civic Center Plaza, where we’ll join the “Tea Party” protesters against government waste and pork, while reminding them that the worst examples are found in the military budget. 4 - 6 pm at Balboa Park BART, showing off our new federal spending banner and educating taxpayers about government spending priorities

COLORADO
Colorado Springs – Citizens for Peace in Space. Leafleting with tax pie charts and other information at the Post Office. Time TBA.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington – Washington Area War Tax Resistance. Vigil and leafleting at IRS headquarters, 1111 Constitution NW. Noon.

KANSAS
Newton – Heartland Peace Tax Fund. Articles, survey with collection of testimonies from Mennonite war tax resisters, mailings with income tax pie chart, and more.

KENTUCKY
Louisville ¬ Fellowship of Reconciliation-Louisville chapter. (502) 458-8056 or . Leafleting and penny poll at corner of Fifth & Market. Noon.

INDIANA
South Bend – Michiana War Tax Refusers. (574) 289-2126, Peter Smith or http://www.michianapeacejustice.org. Vigil and leafleting at the Main Post Office. 5 pm–9 pm.

IOWA
Dubuque–Citizens’ Tax Moratorium. (563) 583-2586. Vigil and leafleting downtown at Federal Building, 6th and Locust. 5:30 pm–7:30 pm. (Also every Monday, 5:30 pm–6:30 pm.)

MAINE
Across the State – Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center and other groups. (207) 525-7776. Leafleting with flyers about war taxes, budget priorities, and related issues at post offices and busy places. Before or on April 15.
Bangor: Jane Livingston, 947-4117, or Gerald Oleson, 947-2970
Belfast: Larry Dansinger, 525-7776
Bath/Brunswick: Mary Beth Sullivan, 443-9502
Ellsworth: Frank Donnelly, 461-5080
Farmington: Eileen Liddy, 645-4755
Kennebunk: Jamilla El Shafei
Portland: Peace Action Maine, 772-0680 or Bill Slavick, 773-6562
Damariscotta: Suzanne Hedrick, 563-7041

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston - New England War Tax Resistance, (781) 237-4690 or Larry Rosenwald. A festive event including presentation of grants from redirected tax dollars to three Peace and Justice groups. Outside the South Postal Annex near South Station. 8:30 PM

Greenfield - Pioneer Valley War Tax Refusers, Email or (413) 774-2640. Picket with leaflets and placards along Main St., urging non-payment of Federal Income tax.. Printed matter will be offered at a sidewalk table by the Food Co-op, with the hope of opening a friendly exchange of views on this vital concern. 9 am until noon.

MISSOURI
St. Louis - St. Louis Covenant Community of War Tax Resisters, (314) 725-5303 . Actions in collaboration with Women in Black, WILPF, the Instead of War Coalition. Tuesday, April 14: 11:30 am Gather and vigil in the Delmar Loop Plaza (6635 Delmar). Noon, process and leaflet through a restaurant district with the pie chart and the leaflet that the U.S. Committee to End the Israeli Occupation on taxes and U.S. military aid to Israel. 12:30 Procession ends at Sen. Claire McCaskill Office's (5850 Delmar). Vigil in front of the office till 1 pm and then turn in tax resistance letters to the Senator's staff.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Across the State – New Hampshire Peace Action or Ginny Schneider. The call is out for people to set up tables with penny polls, educational materials, a petition to deliver to members of Congress, and a bookmark to give out in towns across the state at schools, post offices and town squares.

NEW YORK
New York City – NYC War Resisters League, NYC People’s Life Fund, and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra. (718) 768-7306 or http://www.warresisters.org. Meet and leaflet at Manhattan IRS office,110W. 44th Street, at 4 pm, then at 5:30 pm march to main post office at 8th Ave. and 34th St. for vigil, leafleting, redirection ceremony.

New City - Rockland Coalition for Peace & Justice, http://www.rocklandaction.org Annual Tax Day vigil on the steps of the Rockland County courthouse. 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

NORTH CAROLINA
Asheville – Ashville Area War Tax Resistance. 828-242-5610. Banners and flyer distribution in front of the downtown public library, visible throughout town from the Library to the Federal Building to the Post Office on Coxe Avenue. 3-5 pm, followed by potluck and discussion with Veterans for Peace and War Resisters League.

OREGON
Eugene ¬ Community Action of Lane County. (541) 485-1755. Penny poll and literature distribution at downtown Eugene post office.

Portland – Oregon Community for War Tax Resistance/WRL. (503) 238-0605. April 11: redirection of tax dollars at the public library. April 15: Holding “Burma Shave” signs on the local bridges during morning rush hours

PENNSYLVANIA
Bethlehem – LEPOCO. (610) 691-8730 or http://www.lepoco.org. Contact the office to get leaflets and connect with others for leafleting at area post offices.

Newtown, Bucks County - Coalition for Peace Action and Penn Action. http://www.cfpabuxmont.org, http://www.pennaction.org or 215-380-6804. Tax Day Vigil Silver Lake Park next to Lockheed Martin, Route 413 bypass in Newtown, Bucks County, PA. Invest our Tax Dollars in a Peace Economy! NOT in Lockheed Martin. 4:30-5:30 pm. More protests at Lockheed Martin April 23, http://www.brandywinepeace.com.

VERMONT
Burlington – Bread and Roses Committee. (802) 355-2977. Leafleting at Post Office.

WASHINGTON
Olympia - Olympia Movement for Justice & Peace, http://www.omjp.org, Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, http://www.olyfor.org. Annual protest vigil against the self-destructive madness of paying for U.S. wars, occupations, and continued imperialism around the globe. Main Post Office at 9th & Jefferson. 10 am into the evening.

Seattle ¬ NACC. (206) 547-0952, http://seanacc.org. Leafleting at several post offices from 4 to 5 pm (and other times).

WISCONSIN
Milwaukee – Milwaukee War Tax Resistance and Casa Maria Catholic Worker. Lincoln Rice or 414-344-5745. Hold signs and pass our leaflets on at Milwaukee's main post office located at 345 W St. Paul Ave. 5 pm–6 pm.

ENDS

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