Please join us on this very special evening to honor and celebrate the life and work of Marla Ruzicka, former Bay-Area activist, friend, and colleague who was killed in Baghdad on Saturday, April 16. Marla's work in Afghanistan and Iraq with her organization Campaign for Innocent Victims In Conflict (CIVIC) brought much needed attention to the all too often overlooked civilian deaths and losses suffered during these wars. Marla will be remembered for her tireless work for justice and also for her unyielding zest for life, remarkable capacity for joy, and deep loyalty to friends and family. Her spirit will leave an indelible mark in the world.

**************************************************************************** In Memory of Marla Ruzicka 1976 - 2005

Bay Area activist Marla Ruzicka spent her 28-year life fighting tirelessly for justice. She began organizing and educating her peers about social and environmental issues when she was in high school, bringing in speakers to her school and volunteering her time with various organizations. Marla later worked with AIDS victims in Zimbabwe, refugees in Palestine and campesinos in Nicaragua.

Following the US invasion of Afghanistan, Marla traveled there with Global Exchange and was so moved by the plight of the civilian victims that she dedicated the rest of her too short life to helping innocent victims of war in both Afghanistan and Iraq. She created an organization, Campaign for Innocent Victims In Conflict (CIVIC), to count casualties, provide assistance, and pressure the US government to take responsibility for the innocent civilians harmed by US forces. She was on such a mission in Iraq when she met her untimely death on Saturday, April 16, 2005 in Baghdad.

Marla will be remembered for her pioneering work, and also for her unyielding zest for life, remarkable capacity for joy, and deep loyalty to friends and family. Marla's smile stopped people in their tracks and her optimism inspired all those around her. Everyone whose life touched Marla's is richer for the experience, and her spirit will leave an indelible mark in the world.

We also remember and honor the work of Faiz Ali Salim, Marla's Iraqi colleague, who was killed with while working to bring attention and comfort to civilian victims of the Iraq war.

To learn more about Marla and her work, please visit http://www.civicworldwide.org