Download press release GDAms2 - American Friends Service Committee

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sandra Schwartz
415-999-2436
GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING
Thirty Nine Foot Banner Depicting the Discretionary Budget
Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay St.
Oakland, April 12– Community, faith, students and labor organizations will gather for a
press conference at noon in front of the Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay St. while
displaying a thirty nine foot banner which clearly shows the disproportionate amount of
the federal budget that is spent on the military and the wars.
Currently, 60% of the discretionary budget is allocated to the military. Attempts to
balance state and federal budgets have focused on closing schools and health clinics and
other programs that benefit people in our communities, while leaving the military budget
untouched. This situation has been exacerbated by the recent budget deal
California taxpayers will pay $70.1 billion in FY 2012 budget to the military, enough to
solve our state budget crisis more than twice over. This is money that could insure that
our elders have care, our children have decent educations in safe schools, that our parks
stay open, and that our cities stay livable.
“Real security for people in our communities is having enough to eat, a home to live in,
education for our children — not weapons systems and multiple wars.,” says Jackie
Cabasso, Executive Director of Western States Legal Foundation.
WHO:
American Friends Service Committee joins United for Peace and Justice and
the New Priorities Campaign
WHAT:
PRESS CONFERENCE REGARDING
GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING
WHERE: 1301 Clay St., Oakland
WHEN: April 12, 2011 at noon
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are
committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person
and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.