PROTEST AT REP. MCGOVERN’S OFFICE TO FOCUS ON $40 BILLION IN WEAPONS

FOR UKRAINE AND THE NEED FOR GUN CONTROL IN THE U.S.

On June 23rd, in conjunction with the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, Demilitarize Western Mass will join other local groups in a protest at 4:30 p.m. at U.S. Rep. Jim. McGovern’s Northampton office, 94 Pleasant Street.

Protesters will speak out against recent Congressional approval of $40 billion in weapons for Ukraine, rally against any further weapons shipments to Ukraine and in support of more stringent gun control legislation in the United States.

Addressing the massive $40 billion funding package approved by all members of the House including Rep. McGovern, Demilitarize Western Mass, an affiliate of Boston-based Mass Peace Action, says the legislation will increase the casualties, financial costs, weaponry and threats in an escalating war between Russia and Ukraine.

“Prolonging the war will result in thousands more Ukrainian and Russian deaths and it risks escalating the scope of the war –up to and including nuclear war,” said Anne-Marie Smith of Demilitarize Western Mass. “The dangers involved in this case merit a clear call for a cease fire, negotiation, and dismantlement of all weapons and military alliances. Similarly, the shocking escalation of gun massacres within the US merits increased restrictions on domestic weapon and ammunition sales.”

“We desperately need sensible gun control in this country and we need the Pentagon to start practicing gun control globally. The US, the world’s largest exporter of weapons, funnels billions of dollars in military arms around the world annually,” Smith said. “Militarism abroad and gun violence at home are clearly related.”

Protesters at Rep. McGovern’s office will call for:

• NO weapons for war in Ukraine

• Relentless work for de-escalation, negotiations and an end to the war.

• No proxy war against Russia.

• No nuclear war.

AND

• Banning the sale of assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, among other increased restrictions on access to weapons.

“The grisly results of pouring weapons into Ukraine and into our own neighborhoods could be stopped if we abandon the notion that violence is the answer,” said a statement from BanKillerDrones.org, one of the national organizers of the protest. “If we stop seeking to eliminate opponents and instead emphasize that words can be stronger than weapons, we will have a chance to save lives, foster diplomatic settlements of disputes, and end the race toward global destruction and climate catastrophe.”

The protest is part of the International Day of Action for Peace in Ukraine, being organized between June 23 and 25 by the Peace in Ukraine Coalition.  www.peaceinukraine.org/coalition

The western Mass group will gather at Rep. McGovern’s office, 94 Pleasant Street, Northampton at 4:30 pm on June 23, 2022. The protest is being organized by Demilitarize Western Mass, an affiliated group of Massachusetts Peace Action.