Protesting On The Steps Of Congress: I Want Out Of Iraq

Bonzo, Congress, election 2008, bunch of chimps

"Rubber stamps or spineless wimps, we feel better with a bunch of chimps!"

The citizens in the United States are finding Congress 12 per cent less attractive than our own disintegrating lame-duck president.

Bill Moyer , Washington, D.C.

Date Posted: 09/05/07

Reader Rating:

September 4 and 5, 2007 - U.S. elected officials returning to work after summer break weren't the only ones climbing the steps to Congress this week - anti-war activists are calling on Democrats to do what they were publicly elected to do: Get the U.S. out of Iraq. Alongside Bill Moyer of the The Backbone Campaign, activist groups including CODEPINK Women For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against The War, United For Peace & Justice and Washington Peace Center are promising to keep up their presence at Congressional hearings and member offices until a fixed timeline for withdrawal from Iraq is set.

The reason I came out here is because Congress is returning its session and it's a really important time to let them know they have failed to be part of the solution. In fact, they've been part of the problem.

The citizens in the United States are finding Congress 12 per cent less attractive than our own disintegrating lame-duck president. The president, by gallop poll, has a 30 per cent rating, and the Congress has an 18 per cent rating!

After one year, they have failed to meet the goals for their mandate: They were elected to end this war, hold the criminal administration accountable, restore our civil liberties and start putting the funds of this country back into the things that matter. Instead, they've completely abdicated that duty and let the American people down. It's showing in the polls, and we wanted to make sure that they're not taking their job for granted.

Yesterday morning, we had people dressed up with chimp masks - we like to do this in a funny way because we think that humor helps it get through - at a metro stop doing a picket. We had a little chant that ended with "Rubber stamps or spineless wimps, we feel better with a bunch of chimps!" It was hilarious, and at the same time, letting them know they can't take their jobs for granted.

Today, we went with our CODEPINK friends to the steps of the capital building where we had people in sheep masks dressed as members of congress, flocking back and forth between money and oil along the steps.

There were probably about 25 people involved today, and 12 people yesterday, but when you use funny props and strong imagery, a few people can make a large impression.