Texan Joins Iraq Delegation During "Season for Peace"

Charlie Jackson, a seventh-generation Texan, leaves for Iraq on December 26 as part of a peace delegation to that country.

Press Release – TEXANS FOR PEACE

For Release December 11, 2002

Contact: Charlie Jackson, President
Tel: (210) 492-8915 or (512) 573-8627 (m)
charliej@texansforpeace.org

TEXAN JOINS IRAQ DELEGATION DURING SEASON FOR PEACE"
From Alamo City to the City of the Caliphs

(San Antonio, Texas)---On December 26 local San Antonio businessman, Charlie Jackson, will be traveling to Baghdad as part of an international peace delegation sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams. Mr. Jackson, a seventh-generation Texan says that this is an opportunity to work towards long-term understanding and peace even during a time a conflict. Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) offers a way for people of faith to work towards alternatives to war and inter-group conflict. During the past twelve years they have conducted projects in Columbia, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, Haiti, and elsewhere.
   In traveling to Iraq, Mr. Jackson is specifically challenging the sanctions that during the past decade have killed as many as 500,000 children. By doing so he risks possible fines and imprisonment by the U.S. government since they have declared Iraq off limits" to all but reporters.
One of the projects that Mr. Jackson will be assisting in while in Baghdad is to talk directly with families and school officials. He will be taking messages of greetings from students in Texas and receiving similar messages to bring back as a well to build bridges for understanding.
   This is the third country that Mr. Jackson has visited through the years as a citizen peacemaker. He worked within the war zone in Bosnia in 1993 and 1996 to bring supplies and interact with local citizens in all sides of the conflict. In 2001 he traveled with a Presbyterian mission to learn and work with the Maya Quiche indigenous people of Guatemala. He has also been active in the San Antonio PeaceCENTER and is a founder of Texans for Peace.
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Mr. Jackson states that his commitment to nonviolence and peacemaking comes from a strong religious faith traditions and belief in democratic principles of fairness and justice. For thousands of years people of have fought wars because they either thought their neighbors would attack them or they wanted their neighbors ‘milk and honey. But in all of that time, ‘victories have only been short-lived. If we are to make the world for our children better, were going to need to find new ways to do it," says Charlie. He adds, the U.S. cannot reach the ideals that we hold dear while at the same time killing innocent people around the world and thats reason enough to go to Iraq!"
   Mr. Jackson plans to return from Iraq on January 9 and is available to speak to groups who are interested in this issue. Teachers can contact him directly for curriculum materials for Bridges to Peace" and sending greetings from their class to Iraq. Charlie Jackson can be contacted at charliej@texansforpeace.org Any individual or organization who is interested in helping finance this trip can send a donation to: Texans for Peace, Iraq trip 5801 Westminster Dr., Austin, TX 78723 or visit their website http://www.texansforpeace.org

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Christian Peacemaker Teams - http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/
Charlie Jackson, Photo. - http://www.texansforpeace.org/CJPhotosmCropped.jpg

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