Dear peace activists

The struggle against the new U.S. military base in Vicenza, Italy
continues. Another national demonstration will be held on February 17. Our group, U.S. Citizens for Peace & Justice, has endorsed this march and will participate, together with U.S. Citizens Against War in
Florence.

National Demonstration: "Defend Our Land Against Bases of War" Vicenza, Italy

Vicenza is already home to several U.S. military installations,
including Camp Ederle. The new base would occupy an area north of the city in the existing civilian airport of Dal Molin and would serve to unite the 173rd Airborne Brigade, part of which is already present in Vicenza and the rest in Germany. The objective of the U.S. military is for rapid intervention in the Middle East. Vicenza, according to this plan, is therefore destined to become an important hub for the new global military order.

A strong grassroots campaign has been waged by local residents since the news of the plan leaked out last May, culminating in the national demonstration on December 2, 2006, with 30,000 people coming from all over Italy, the largest protest march ever in the city of Vicenza.
(See write-up, photos, articles and more on our site:
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/nomilitarybases-post.php)

Prime Minister Prodi announced on January 16 that the Italian
Government would not oppose the construction of the new base. The
Senate just voted to approve. But this hasn’t stopped the movement
against the new base, against military servitude and against war. The people are more united and determined than ever.

We join with Italian activists and citizens in opposing the
construction of this base, and call on our own government to listen to the people who, on November 7, voted not for more military spending, not for more U.S. military bases, not for rapid military intervention, but for change.

PLEASE JOIN US IN VICENZA WHERE OUR VOICE IS NEEDED!

NOTE: Some of you may have received the attached "warning" of an
"anti-U.S." protest from the Embassy in Rome. Together with the group U.S. Citizens Against War in Florence we plan to respond to this message with an open letter to Ambassador Spogli. If you are
interested in helping to draft this letter, please let us know at:
info@peaceandjustice.it We won’t have much time for comments as this needs to be addressed as soon as possible."