Community speak-outs against the war in Washington Heights and Queens, building for March on Pentagon

World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime – NYC Chapter is proud to announce:
Community speak-outs against the war in Washington Heights and Jackson Heights/Queens, in preparation for the forth-coming national March on the Pentagon, featuring Carlos & Melida Arredondo. Events will be in Spanish with English translation provided.

Carlos Arredondo made national news when his son Marine Lance Corporal Alexander Arrendondo, 20 years old, was killed on August 25, 2004. When the Marines' Casualty Assistance Team went to his home in Hollywood, Florida to notify him of his son's death, he responded by setting their van and himself on fire. Questionable protocols including the Marines not including a chaplain at the notification and giving him the news in his front yard led to this Father's extreme grief response. Melida Arredondo aided her husband and family with the two simultaneous tragedies. The day after Alex' death and the fire, she appeared on ABC's Good Morning America stating that "the war has to stop." Both Melida and Carlos have formed an organization called People United for Peace. Carlos came to the US as an immigrant from Costa Rica. and Melida is a first generation Costa Rican American. Carlos received U.S. citizenship after the death of his son. Both are strong anti-war activists, and favor citizen participation including the power of impeachment. They have traveled around the country speaking about this personal tragedy and to parents about the methods recruiters use to enlist youth, working especially to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community.

(the above photo of Carlos Arredondo with a memorial to his son appeared in the NY Times coverage of the January anti-war demonstration in Washington, DC)


Saturday, March 10th – Community Speak-out – 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Terraza Café, 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst/Queens
(just south of Roosevelt, between 83rd and 84th Streets, #7 train to 82nd Street)
Featuring:
Carlos & Melida Arredondo
Rev. Luis Barrios, Iglesia San Romero de las Americas-UCC, National Steering Committee of World Can’t Wait
Sponsored by: World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime

Sunday, March 11th – Community speak-out, procession and people’s Mass – Washington Heights
Beginning at 11:30 with special services at Iglesia San Romero de las Americas-UCC, 2410 Amsterdam Avenue (between 179 & 180th Streets)
There will be a 50-block procession through Washington Heights and northern-west Harlem. World Can’t Wait is calling for a massive distribution of information on the March on the Pentagon and the World Can’t Wait Call all along this procession.
Concluding with a “Misa Popular” (People’s Mass) at 4:00 PM at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 521 West 126th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam).
Featuring:
Carlos & Melida Arredondo
Rev. Luis Barrios
Sponsored by Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas in cooperation with World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime

Carlos & Melida Arredondo and Rev. Luis Barrios will be available for press interviews throughout the weekend.
March on the Pentagon – March 17th
End the War Now! -- Impeach Bush for War Crimes!
For more information, and for bus tickets, contact World Can’t Wait: http://nyc.worldcantwait.org/ / 212-969-0772