Tell Congress: Negotiations, Not Arms Shipments!
No to $33 billion for the Ukraine war!
Fund Healthcare, Not Warfare!
We call for the withdrawal of Russian troops and an immediate ceasefire. NATO should commit not to expand and Ukraine should be recognized as a neutral country. The US and NATO must negotiate with Russia and support Ukraine in finding a compromise.
While Ukraine has the right to defend itself, the US is not a party to this conflict and should not send arms to Ukraine. Congress should reject President Biden’s request for $20 billion in new arms, part of a $33 billion Ukraine package he has requested. Flooding Ukraine with arms will prolong the war and the suffering of the Ukrainian people; some of the arms will find their war to Ukrainian far right groups.
Congress rejected the Build Back Better plan which would have taken steps to combat climate change and address inequality at home. Where are our priorities?
Measures should be taken to prevent escalation of the conflict, and at all costs, to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. Sanctions on Russia should be lifted as part of a compromise. Devastating economic sanctions are affecting poor people around the world (and contributing to inflation in the U.S.), not the elite who started the war.
U.S. leaders are escalating their rhetoric. President Biden said that “this man [Putin] cannot remain in power”. Secretary of Defense Austin said that the U.S. no longer seeks only to defend Ukraine but also to profoundly weaken Russia. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the U.S. stands with Ukraine until “victory”, without explaining what victory would mean. The new U.S. war aims are profoundly threatening to Russia and make a negotiated settlement of the conflict much more difficult.
This increases the danger of nuclear war. Ukraine is a U.S. proxy war against Russia, and the U.S. must negotiate with Russia to end it. The outlines of a settlement have been well known since the start of the conflict. Secretary of State Blinken should urgently meet with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.
Stop hatred against the Russian people, such as banning of Russian and Belorussian athletes from the Boston Marathon and ongoing attacks on Russian stores. End censorship campaigns such as labeling those who oppose U.S. involvement as Russian agents.
Boston rally sponsored by MAPA, People’s Party of Massachusetts, Boston Mayday Coalition, and United Against War and Militarism. Massachusetts-based groups are invited to cosponsor; contact MAPA at info@masspeaceaction.org or 617-354-2169.