Louisville Committee to Stop the War in Iraq

Furthering his commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of Iraq, Doug Johnson, a member of the Louisville Committee to Stop the War Against Iraq, decided to join the Iraq Peace Team sponsored by Chicago-based Voices in the Wilderness. Doug left Louisville on February 16. After traveling to Chicago, and then Amman, Jordan, Doug arrived in Baghdad in the early morning hours of February 21. Doug will be in constant contact with us during his stay in Iraq, and we will be posting communications from him on his journal entries pages as soon as possible after we receive them, so check back regularly.

On Friday, February 21, 2003, Doug wrote:

"I arrived very late last night (4:30 am) after spending two days in Amman and it's now 1:00 pm here. I walked around the streets for about an hour when I woke up. Baghdad seems very westernized, many of the buildings - although I can imagine they were once beautiful - are degraded and sorely in need of a facelift. The Iraqis so far have been quite friendly. I'm greeted everywhere I go with warm hellos and bright smiles. Other than that, I'm brand new in the country and there is not a lot for me to tell. Oh, I'm at the Al Fanar hotel, in room 305, if that makes any difference. It's fairly nice and has a great balcony view. Please tell the Louisville Community that they're here with me."

Doug's reasons for going:

"I am traveling to Iraq to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi civilian population against US aggression. The people of Iraq are not our enemies, yet they have been the target of twelve years of brutal sanctions which have killed a half million children. I do not think the US government plans to attack Iraq for issues of human rights or self-defense, but rather for oil interests and politics. I am so strongly opposed to this that I am willing to put myself in a situation that could become like 1991, where Iraqi civilians were killed and thousands of American servicemen became afflicted with Gulf War syndrome. It is my conviction that a US invasion of Iraq would result in further death and destruction, none of which is necessary because diplomatic options are available, as they always have been. I do not support Iraqi President Saddam Hussein or excuse his atrocities. I love my country but feel it is my moral duty to oppose this war and the economic sanctions against the Iraqi people.. . ."

"Before I give my reasons for going, I would like to tell you a little about Voices in the Wilderness and let you know how you all can help. VitW is based in Chicago and has been sending food and medicine to Iraq in direct violation of US/UN sanctions and under threat of severe punishment by the US Treasury Department since 1996. VitW is highly revered around the world, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is only through their work that Iraq would consider allowing people from the "aggressor nation" to occupy their land. I am privileged and honored to be associated with Voices in the Wilderness.

"I want to stress that I was chosen by VitW, not for any of my so-called qualifications, but because of the incredible work the Louisville Peace Community has been doing. All delegates must have a strong support network, and boy do I have one! While I'm in Iraq, your role will be as important as mine, you will be with me in a very real way, and you will receive daily, first-hand news which you will then distribute widely. Thank you all for being my strength and support, for working to stop this crazy war before it starts and end the sanctions against Iraq."

Doug and other members of the Iraq Peace Teams will remain in Iraq for the duration of the war and then some. They may be there for as long as four months, undergoing the same assault that is planned by our government for the people of Iraq.

Doug's local support: members of Louisville Committee to Stop the War in Iraq & C-SAW--Citizens Standing Against War.

We will publish to this site on an on-going basis: Follow this link NOW for Doug's experiences in Iraq as a witness to the lives of individual Iraqis, his journal entries & pictures.