Irish Peace Activist Present in UN Building during Explosion

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Friday August 22, 2003 21:53 by Ciaron - for Voices Chicago

Voices in the Wilderness Update

Michael Bermingham who has been based in Iraq since late last year, and participated in the anti-war movement in Ireland, was present in the UN Building when attacked this week. Voices in the Wilderness Chicago Update.

Note: Michael was a founder member of & worked with CEISI for 4 years before going to Iraq before Christmas last year.

Greetings from Voices-Chicago!

Here are a number of quick updates from Voices Chicago:

Yesterday, an explosion occurred at the UN offices in Baghdad; Voices in the Wilderness
delegate Michael Birmingham was visiting the building at that time. With minor injuries, he was
able to assist in rescuing others. We are grateful that he survived the blast, and we mourn the
deaths of those who did not.

The Call for 20,000 Voices Campaign is off to a strong start. We have well over 6,000
signatures on the petition to Attorney General Ashcroft and the list gets longer each day. We
encourage everyone to go onto our website at www.nonviolence.org/vitw, add your personal
signature and pass it along to others.

Earlier this week, Caoimhe Butterly, our colleague in Baghdad, described current work of the
Iraq Peace Team and how the quality of life for U.S. troops and Iraqi citizens is deteriorating.
Please read the full letter: http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/pages/newPages/SBbutterly.html
Just this morning, we received an article from Ramzi Kysia, an earnest awakening to the
current situation in Baghdad. Follow this link to read Kysia's piece:
http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/pages/newPages/SBbuilding_tomorrows_house.html

Also, Wheels of Justice Tour is circuiting the center of the US; the big colorful bus has left
Minneapolis and is heading west. To schedule a speaking event or to find out if the bus is
coming to your town, please visit
http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/pages/newPages/SBwheelsofjustice.html
You can contact the bus coordinator at 917-567-5048.

Finally, Kathy Kelly, John Farrell (Chicago, IL), Ed Kinane (Vernon, NY) and Cathy Breen (New
York, NY) will soon leave the US for Iraq. They will spend at least 3 weeks speaking with
ordinary people in Iraq and continuing friendships with people we have come to know during
our seven years of Voices delegations to Iraq. They will try to communicate the perspective
of these ordinary Iraqis to the general public in the US and abroad during their delegation and
upon their return. Please follow their journey on our website www.vitw.org.

Please feel free to contact our office if we can assist any of your activities.

Sincerely,
Voices in the Wilderness-Chicago