Peace activists scored a rare victory on May 15.

They helped defeat a bill that would have thrown another $165 billion into the maw of the Iraq occupation, extending it deep into 2009.

This victory had nothing to do with the Democratic leadership in the House.

No, not all.

Nancy Pelosi was for the bill, not against it.

But thanks to a great grassroots effort led by AfterDowningStreet.org and CodePink and United for Peace and Justice and Iraq Veterans Against the War, more Democrats opposed the bill than supported (149-141). Republicans, for their part, played a little game, with 132 of them choosing to vote Present instead of casting a yea or nay.

As a result, the funding died, at least temporarily.

We need to stop it from being revived in the Senate, or resuscitated in conference. So our work is not over, by any means.

But for now, we can rejoice.

“This vote was blocked by 149 Democrats finally—FINALLY—doing the right thing,” said David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet. “We should thank them immediately. We should thank each other for having moved them.”

“You did it!” exclaimed CodePink. “You have called, e-mailed, faxed, marched, organized office visits, teach-ins, sit-ins and die-ins, and been arrested. . . . Thanks for all your hard work.”

Leslie Cagan, national coordinator of United for Peace and Justice, echoed that sentiment: “This was a tremendous victory for the anti-war movement. It was the hard work of people all around the country that secured those 149 clear NO votes.”

Congratulations to all the activists who participated in this effort.

Let’s keep the pressure on.