Desiree Fairooz, Former School Teacher - Background On The Activist (Fort Worth Weekly Feature)

[Hissyspit]

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/freedom-fighter-code-pinks-desiree-fairooz



Fairooz: ‘Americans need to take time out of their schedules to … take part in their democracy.’

Desiree Fairooz was once a full-time teacher. Now she spends her days protesting the war in Iraq.

By BRICEIDA CERVANTES

Instead of standing in front of a chalkboard and explaining lessons to her students in Grand Prairie, Desiree Fairooz recently spent some time in Washington, D.C., standing in front of the office of the U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, explaining her causes to the Capitol Police. No apples for the former Grand Prairie ISD schoolteacher there, only scratches on her wrists left by the thick, white plastic ties that police use as disposable handcuffs.

It’s all part of the life that Fairooz has chosen, but one that she has been groomed for. She credits her activism to her progressive-minded aunt and the teachers at her Catholic high school. The arrest occurred while the 50-year-old fourth-grade teacher was taking part in a protest held by the women-initiated national peace group Code Pink.

While holding up banners that read “Stop Funding the War” and “Don’t Buy Bush’s War” and chilling images of death and destruction in Iraq, Fairooz and other pink-clad women chanted, sang clever songs, and quipped slogans.

“This war is based on lies,” she told the Weekly. “Young and middle-aged people are dying for a lie, and I could not stay at home any longer while crimes are being committed in my name. We Americans are responsible for atrocities.”

Fairooz has been an anti-war activist for about five years, but only recently did she quit teaching, pack her things, and head for Washington to work full time on fighting the war. “I believe that one person can make a difference,” said Fairooz, an admirer of Gandhi’s brand of civil disobedience. “Each person can make peace.”

She moved into Code Pink’s Washington, D.C., house and started cashing in her retirement funds to maintain her “protester lifestyle.”

She joined Code Pink about three years ago after seeing photos of women protesters dressed in pink in front of the White House. “I Googled and found chapters in Fort Worth and Arlington and became involved with them,” she said. Her first action (as each individual protest is identified) took place in March 2005, when she joined other demonstrators in commemorating the second anniversary of the Iraq invasion.

In Washington, Fairooz is the “house mom.” She handles reservations and logistics and ensures that visiting members are provided with meals, clean linens, and a witty host. Everything is paid for by benefactors. Without their help, she said, she wouldn’t have been able to relocate to Washington.

- snip -

Fairooz wants the Iraqi war to end not only to save the lives of American soldiers, but also because of what the war is doing to the women and children of Iraq who have been displaced, abused, or massacred. “Our troops are committing atrocities. They don’t belong there, and keeping them there exacerbates the problem. Occupying a foreign land is not American.”

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[DemoTex]

1. Here is a woman with guts .. her money is where her mouth is.

Congressional Democrats should study Desiree Fairooz's commitment to the cause.

Finally, something good has come to Washington, DC, from Texas.

[babylonsister]

2. RECOMMEND with gratitude to Ms. Fairooz! nt

[Carolina]

3. K&R

Conviction and courage.

Viva Desiree Fairooz!

Too bad our Dem Leadership is not comprised of people like her.

[Bonobo]

4. Another POLITICAL PRISONER in the country with the most incarcerated in the world.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Proudly recommended

I had have the honor of meeting Desiree. She is great lady and a true patriot. And I am so proud of her today I can barely stand it.

[Breeze54]

6. Me too! She has guts!!

:kick: & Recommended!!

PS. check your PM's please? Thanks! ;)

[Hissyspit]

7. .