Stopping a War in its tracks… my Mission for the TJP Human Shield Action Iraq

Human Shields taking it all in after having driven from London through Europe & arriving in Rome in January 2003.

By Ken O’Keefe – www.HumanShields.org (2002-2003)
UPDATE (April 7, 2022) – This blog was written 20 years ago and it reflects my age, I was 33 at the time. While I stand by all that I said and did in formulating a strategy that could stop the invasion of Iraq, I was young and would have my mission infiltrated and subverted from within. Which affirms my errors in trusting the wrong people, people working for my enemies inside my gate. Nonetheless the strategy was formidable and reached the attention and dire concern of the White House, more on that in a later blog. If I had been successful 2 million would be alive in Iraq and thousands of military men & women would have all of their limbs and wits about them rather than be committing suicide in droves. My only consolation is I did my best… but it was not good enough. I learned a lot, which means I am sharper and wiser and I assure you of this, I will never bow, never surrender, anything less than Justice means my/our job is not done so get on with it. – KOK69

Purpose of TJP Human Shield Action Iraq
Government is laughable. The inevitable pretext of an Iraqi “material breach” of United Nations Resolution 1441is all but guaranteed. Yet as this tragic comedy sideshow plays out there is a group of people (growing in numbers) who have another scenario, one which the war mongers have not previously factored into the equation.
“Peace will not come out of a clash of arms but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of odds.” – Gandhi
Solution – What would happen if several thousand Western citizens migrated to Iraq to stand side by side with the Iraqi people? The fact is that the world’s most powerful nation would be stopped in its imperialist tracks if thousands of Westerners might be killed by its oil lust war. Never has there been a greater need for people to stand up and demand a sane and peaceful world. Voting and recycling is not enough, it is direct action that is desperately required. And never has there been more people more aware about the truth and ready to act. People are organizing and mobilizing like never before, the time has come and ‘We the People’ are responding. Now many of us are coming together to exercise our “freedom” by acting as voluntary human shields in the hopes of saving thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. This is not about supporting Saddam Hussein as our governments did, it is about saving the lives of those in our human family. So if you care enough and are fed up with the never ending excuses from the politicians and “experts” who historically perpetuate the status quo, you are invited to join us.
“Faith gains in strength only when people are willing to lay down their lives for it.” – Gandhi
The Plan – To enlist the service of as many Human Shield volunteers for direct action in Iraq. To organize the required food and transportation for travel by coach, vans and cars from Europe to Iraq for all who Human Shield volunteers. Our departure date is tentatively set for mid to late January (2003) from London but this is subject to the evolving situation. We plan to travel through Europe via London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Dachau Concentration Camp, Zurich, Milan, Sarajevo, Istanbul, Halab and Baghdad on our way to Iraq. We may very well need/choose to add or delete cities along the way again depending on the situation at the time. All things going as planned we will conduct brief rallies and pick up more Human Shield volunteers along the way. Once in Baghdad we will strategically place ourselves with the most vulnerable people. People who are overwhelmingly supportive for obvious reasons.
“The golden rule is to act fearlessly upon what one believes to be right.” – Gandhi
What You Can Do – Immediately join as a Human Shield volunteer. If you cannot do this than support us financially for our food and fuel needs. U.S. citizens can make tax-exempt donations to the Universal Kinship Society (sponsor of this action). Donate your car, van or bus or school and medical supplies which we will transport to the people of Iraq. Send out emails and press releases announcing our action and post our action on your website.
“True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding out the true path for ourselves and in fearlessly following it.”
Who To Contact – Ken Nichols O’Keefe of the Universal Kinship Society – ken@humanshields.org. Phone in Holland – 00316 2220 4574
“Only a life lived for others is a life worth while .” – Albert Einstein