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| Iowa Green Party Demands Investigation of Killing of Rachel Corrie. |
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IOWA GREEN PARTY Monday, March 15, 2004 Contact: U.S. Senate candidate Daryl Northrop 515-229-9368 Iowa City, Iowa - On Friday, March 12, the Iowa Green Party joined the swelling ranks of those demanding the U.S. Congress launch an official investigation into last year's Gaza Strip killing of American peace activist Rachel Corrie. Corrie, a 23 year-old Olympia, Washington native, volunteered with a global peace and justice group, the International Solidarity Organization. She traveled to the Gaza Strip in early 2003 and took part in protests there against Israeli Army demolition of Palestinian homes. Eyewitnesses to her death said it came as a result of deliberate Israeli Army actions. Iowa Green Party Co-chair Larry Orr facilitated an accelerated party vote process, noting that March 16, 2004 is the first anniversary of Corrie's death. "I believe that her example will always inspire people to work for truth, justice, and peace," he said. County delegates to the Iowa Green Party voted unanimously to endorse a petition calling for an investigation. That petition is now to be delivered to members of the U.S. House of Representatives by the group End the Occupation. It urges that members support HCR111, which provides for a formal governmental inquiry. According to a Veterans For Peace statement issued the day of Corrie's death, "Rachel was standing in the path of the bulldozer as it advanced towards her. When the bulldozer refused to stop or turn aside, she climbed onto the mound of dirt and rubble being gathered in front of it, wearing a fluorescent jacket to look directly at the driver, who kept on advancing. The bulldozer continued to advance so that she was pulled under the pile of dirt and rubble. After she had disappeared from view the driver kept advancing until the bulldozer was completely on top of her. The driver did not lift the bulldozer blade and so she was crushed beneath. Then the driver backed up -- effectively running her over again. The seven other activists taking part in the action rushed to dig out her body. An ambulance rushed her to the Al-Najar Hospital where she died." Among delegates voting to endorse the investigation call was Polk County Green and current U.S. Senate candidate Daryl Northrop. "Rachel is yet another tragic casualty in the seemingly endless conflict between the right wing Israeli government and the Palestinians," Northrop said, following the vote. "If elected to the U.S. Senate, I pledge to work for real peace, and real justice, between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. I call on Iowa's Congressional delegation to support an immediate, comprehensive inquiry into this injustice, and into the injustice of millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation." A post-vote message to Iowa Greens from Colette Brodersen, Rachel Corrie's aunt, expressed gratitude: "Thank you, Larry and everyone from the Iowa Green Party. I can't tell you how much good news and support like this helps right now. "In Peace, Colette." END ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Rachel Corrie, http://www.rachelcorrie.org
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