When General David Petraeus testified before the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Armed Services yesterday about the status of the war and political developments in Iraq, he left out an important part of the picture: the true experience of the Iraqi people, especially Iraqi women, and their desire for the U.S. troops to leave.

CODEPINK was in the hearing room, wearing death masks to represent the deep grief and pain of the women of Iraq (Flickr Slideshow). As reported by Women for Women International), Iraqi women are plagued by violence and insecurity; a severe lack of medicine, clean water, electricity and other basic services; and the rise of conservative Islamists.

While General Petraeus says the presence of the U.S. military helps reduce violence, 71 percent of Iraqi women say they do not feel protected by U.S. soldiers and 65 percent report that US soldiers are only making security worse.

Today, as General Petraeus continues his testimony before the House Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs, Iraqis are taking to the street to protest the U.S. occupation. We must demand that their voices are heard in Washington.

Please send the Women for Women International Report to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees (www.codepinkalert.org/EmailReps) and call their offices to urge them to listen to the Iraqi women, and the majority of all Iraqis, who are calling for an end to the occupation of their country.

– Joe Biden, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
(202) 224-4651

– Carl Levin, US Senate Committee on Armed Services
(202)224.3871

– Howard Berman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
(202) 225-5021

– Ike Skelton, House Armed Services Committee
(202) 225-4151

Thank you for giving Iraqi women a desperately needed voice,
Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Liz, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Tighe

PS. Here is your last chance to buy roses and trees for the CODEPINK “V” Garden in New Orleans.

Also, CODEPINK made the Daily Show! Watch here!