A broad coalition of peace, justice and labor activists are organizing a series of actions on tax day, April 15, calling on Congress to redirect war dollars to fund education, job creation, universal health care and other vital services. Activists are also demanding the U.S. Postal Service keep open the Gateway Processing Facility in Springfield and rural post offices open.

The day’s events will begin at 11 am Monday at the downtown Post Office, 520 Willamette St., with the annual Penny Poll. Passersby will be invited to take 10 pennies and put them in jars representing six categories of the federal budget, indicating priorities in federal spending.

At noon will be a rally with speakers and music. In addition, war-tax resisters who object to over half of their federal taxes going to the military will be redirecting these “war” taxes to local organizations.  Some of these organizations will be on hand to receive their donations.

At 1 pm will be a march from the Post Office to the new U.S. Courthouse for a 1:30 pm rally. Marchers will turn in cards to the congressional offices of Sen. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio that call on action to bring the war dollars home.

Also on tax day, Whirled Pies Pizzeria, 1123 Monroe in Eugene, will donate a percentage of sales from 11 am to 8 pm to support Community Alliance of Lane County’s peace and justice work. Contact CALC at 485-1755 or calcoffice@gmail.com for more information.