Gael Murphy
Encyclopedia
Gael Murphy, a resident of Washington, D.C., is an anti-war activist with Code Pink
who has planned or participated in many of its high profile protests and activities against the Iraq war.
Murphy worked in the Peace Corps
and later as a public health officer in Zaire
and Central America
. She also was a foreign service officer and an aid contractor, gaining first hand experience of the mishandling of America's public policy.
In 2002 she helped coordinate Code Pink's Women’s Peace Vigil held across from the White House. She heads up the group’s D.C. office. She is also a member of its executive committee. A Salon
writer who interviewed Murphy in 2008 described her as a "warmly robust, welcoming and intelligent presence with a firm handshake" who was tough enough for hard questioning.
In 2004 Murphy was the lead protester speaking out at a Senate hearing featuring then United States Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld
.
In 2004 she was arrested with fellow Code Pink
founder Medea Benjamin
inside The Republican National Convention. She also participated in protests against the 2008 Republican convention.
At an antiwar protest rally during United States President Barack Obama
's Inauguration
where protesters threw shoes at a balloon replica of George W. Bush
, Murphy told protesters ""Hold onto your shoes. The struggle is not over."
Ms. Murphy is among the activists featured in a recent anti-war documentary film, "Finding Our Voices."
Code Pink
Code Pink: Women for Peace is an anti-war group that is mainly composed of women. It has regional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and many more chapters in the U.S. as well as several in other countries...
who has planned or participated in many of its high profile protests and activities against the Iraq war.
Murphy worked in the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
and later as a public health officer in Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. She also was a foreign service officer and an aid contractor, gaining first hand experience of the mishandling of America's public policy.
In 2002 she helped coordinate Code Pink's Women’s Peace Vigil held across from the White House. She heads up the group’s D.C. office. She is also a member of its executive committee. A Salon
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
writer who interviewed Murphy in 2008 described her as a "warmly robust, welcoming and intelligent presence with a firm handshake" who was tough enough for hard questioning.
In 2004 Murphy was the lead protester speaking out at a Senate hearing featuring then United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
.
In 2004 she was arrested with fellow Code Pink
Code Pink
Code Pink: Women for Peace is an anti-war group that is mainly composed of women. It has regional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and many more chapters in the U.S. as well as several in other countries...
founder Medea Benjamin
Medea Benjamin
Medea Benjamin is an American political activist, best known for co-founding Code Pink and, along with her husband, activist and author Kevin Danaher, fair trade advocacy group Global Exchange...
inside The Republican National Convention. She also participated in protests against the 2008 Republican convention.
At an antiwar protest rally during United States President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's Inauguration
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
where protesters threw shoes at a balloon replica of George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, Murphy told protesters ""Hold onto your shoes. The struggle is not over."
Ms. Murphy is among the activists featured in a recent anti-war documentary film, "Finding Our Voices."