For immediate release: August 28, 2007

Livermore to Join Counterparts Across the Nation; Vigils Will Call On Congress to End Iraq War

Constituents to Tell Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, "Take A Stand This September, End The War!"

LIVERMORE -- In downtown Livermore, there will be 2 overlapping candlelight vigil and sign holding events on Tuesday, August 28, 2007; one beginning at 5 PM and one at 6 PM. Both are being conducted in conjunction with Moveon.org actions across the country. These actions are timed to call on Congress to vote to end the war in September.

"It's time for the Bush Administration to stop wasting the lives of our precious American service men and women and money that is better spent in the USA. Our government must recognize that the Iraq war has been a tragedy and that the recent, much-touted surge is a failure," said Arlynn Grimm, a local MoveOn member and long-time peace advocate. "Representative Tauscher must 'Stand Up' in September and vote to end the war," concluded Grimm.

"Continuing to pile death upon death will lead to more grieving families, not peace," commented Marylia Kelley, Livermore resident and executive director of Tri-Valley CAREs, a group that has opposed the Iraq war since its inception. "Staying the course is hardly a virtue if you are on the wrong course," she added. "It is morally incumbent on Congress to carry out the will of a vast and growing majority of the American people and stop the war."

Participants in the vigil will read from a "War Toll Calendar" to honor the U.S. soldiers that have died in the past year. Participants will also hold hand-made signs expressing their desires to end the war. These expressions will be visible to passing motorists.

Vigils like this one are part of national "Take A Stand Day" - a coordinated day of more than 500 actions to end the war. The national events are initiated by the Americans Against Escalation in Iraq coalition, including MoveOn.org Political Action, VoteVets.org, the Service Employees International Union, True Majority and others.

EVENT DETAILS: "Stand Up in September" Vigil / Sign Holding

Who: Livermore residents opposed to the Iraq war
Where: Lizzie Fountain, corner of First Street and Livermore Avenue, downtown Livermore.
When: Tuesday, August 28; with two overlapping vigils, at 5 PM and 6 PM.
What: Local residents urge Congress to vote to end the war in September and honor the soldiers and civilians who have died or been injured in the unwinnable civil war in Iraq.

***Excellent Visuals: Candles, Signs ***