Capitol Region Moms Challenge Rep. Doris Matsui

Three MFSO Capital Region moms (flanked by three Veterans For Peace members) held a press conference this morning in front of the Federal Building in Sacramento to challenge Rep. Doris Matsui to "do better" with regard to the war in Iraq. Afterwards they met with Matsui's Deputy Director. They gave him a copy of the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge, requesting that Matsui sign on. They told her staff that her website does not mention the war and that her most recent constituent newsletter was also lacking war coverage. They gave him a poster we made of photos and names of the last three weeks of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan (cut from copies of the Army Times).

Laurie Loving spoke about her son's 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team having their one year deployment extended indefinitely at the last minute, provided the MFSO press release and read from letters from Stryker wives and mothers. They requested that Matsui publically express outrage at the Stryker action, co-sponsor McGovern's bill to cut funding and join the Out of Iraq Caucus. They had TV and radio coverage at the press conference and provided most of these documents following their interviews.

Matsui is still in D.C. We requested a meeting with her after she returns and reviews our documents and requests. The staffer was sorely lacking in emotion and seemed to just go through the motions with us.

Special thank you's to Tina Wong and Zohreh Whitaker for going with Laurie and Russell Loving.

August 2, 2006