Activitists from Global Women's Strike and Payday organized an East Coast Tour of Carolyn Ho, mother of Lt. Ehren Watada, first commissioned officer to refuse to serve in Iraq. This tour included 15 talks in 14 days at universities, youth and religious groups, community centers, peace networks; 2 trips to Capitol Hill; media interviews with the Washington Post, Air America, Democracy Now, WBAI radio; Bridges TV in Buffalo NY. The tour raised over $3000 for the Watada campaign.

The tour provided a platform for this mother who, like so many mothers, aunts and sisters, have campaigned tirelessly behind the scenes for war refusers but whose voices are not heard.  Ms Ho was joined at two events by Gloria Pacis, mother of Stephen Funk who spent five months in military prison for refusing to deploy to Iraq.  At each event, Ms Ho introduced a video of Ehren addressing an Aug 06 Vets for Peace conference to rave reviews from the audience.  Phoebe Jones of GWS introduced her, Eric Gjertsen of Payday provided a context, and Margaret Prescod of WOC in the GWS gave an inspiring sum up and pitch for action.