Enclosed is a check from the local Washington, DC-area War Tax Resisters who are donating a portion of their “tax” money to CPT in memory of Tom Fox. Several CPTers spoke at the annual Tax Day event in front of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building.
Carol Spring
CPT Reservist
Washington, DC
This is a portion of our 2006 tax dollars withheld from the federal government as a conscientious objection to war and military spending. We are redirecting these funds to you as a way to support efforts for nonviolent peace and justice-building around the world.
Janine & Ben Martin Horst
Eugene, OR
This is part of our withheld taxes. We so appreciate your work and witness. Our letter to the IRS said, in part: For reasons of religious conviction we have withheld paying the full amount of our taxes owed. We calculated that the amount we have withheld is equivalent to the portion of our income taxes that would be allocated to the military budget of the United States…Our government is currently waging an occupation in Iraq, sending armaments to various places in the world, training Latin American soldiers and threatening to attack Iran. We cannot silently and freely participate in these bellicose endeavors. We have seen and heard too much from those who have suffered the pains of war, terrorism and torture. We have heard the cries of the homeless, hungry and jobless in our own country. We know that the $5 billion spent monthly on war in Iraq would be better spent on public schools, heath care, employment creation and the arts. This is the witness that Jesus asks of us.
Charles Hurst & Maria Smith
Cleveland, OH
The Illinois Yearly Meeting (IYM) Peace Tax Fund is an escrow fund established for the support of Friends in the IYM who have chosen to make a witness for peace by war tax refusal. The interest from deposits in the fund is given each year to individuals or organizations “for life-affirming activities consistent with Friends principles.” We are pleased to support your work.
Marcia Nelson, Clerk
IYM Peace Tax Fund
Aurora, IL
Jesus said, “Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you.” NOT, “Love your enemies and hate those who do good to you.” Millions of people who were barely aware of your existence could have been favorably disposed toward your mission and organization. Now, millions of people only know that you are a bunch of ungrateful punks.
Geoffrey Parker
St. Joe, IN
CPT was deluged with hundreds of supportive messages throughout the months that our colleagues were held in Iraq – enough to fill a book. We also received a fair amount of critique and plenty of outright lambasting. We thank God for the abundant blessing of support and a deep well of grace from which to draw in the face of adversity.
I mourn the death of your colleague, Tom Fox, and I share your pain from my exile in Canada. You have been witnesses all over the world to how the innocent are killed. Now one of your own is a victim of this absurd war. I hope that through this tragedy you will find strength to continue your beautiful work.
Sandra Solano
Colombian in exile
Toronto, ON
Jesus said, “Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you.” NOT, “Love your enemies and hate those who do good to you.” People who were barely aware of your existence could have been favorably disposed toward your mission. Now, they only know that you are a bunch of ungrateful punks.
Geoffrey Parker
St. Joe, IN
I share in the grief and sorrow that Tom’s family, and all who knew Tom, must surely be going through. Tom’s killing should not go in vain. Let us memorialize and honor him and other victims by redoubling our efforts to end this senseless war. May peace prevail.
James Thindwa
Jobs with Justice
Chicago, IL