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Help create a buzz on Capitol Hill on Monday by making the phones ring
off the hook! Even if you are not able to be in Washington, D.C. with
those attending the Call for Justice Weekend, you can still make your
voice heard.
On Monday, September 26, join with hundreds of social activists from
around the country who are participating in the interfaith Advocacy
Day on Capitol Hill by visiting the offices of their congressional
representatives. Add your voice to the growing demand to end
U.S.-sponsored torture. And share this e-mail with your
family and friends.
There can be little doubt that the current U.S. torture practices
utilized in Guantánamo, Iraq, and Afghanistan present us with one
of the most serious moral crises of our times. In light of the grim
photographs from Abu Ghraib and the continuous disclosures of
widespread abuse, we cannot remain silent.
For details about our Call for Justice Weekend, September 24-26, visit
http://www.uusc.org/programs/STOP/cfjw_schedule.html
Take action now
Make your voices heard on Monday, September 26, 2005 by speaking out
against U.S.-sponsored torture. Call your U.S. senators and representative
and urge them to support an amendment to the National Defense
Authorization bill sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., that would
establish an independent commission to examine U.S. policies and practices
for the treatment of detainees, including their detention and
interrogation and allegations of detainee abuse.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, where an operator will
connect you directly with the Senate or House office you request. Or you
may use our online Legislative Action Center at
http://capwiz.com/uusc/dbq/officials/ to get the direct phone number
of your senators.
Message/talking points
- As a member of UUSC and voter in (name of
your state), I vigorously protest U.S.-sponsored torture.
Torture has been abhorrent to our national values and legal system
since the framing of the Constitution.
- There has been no accountability at the senior
levels of the administration for the policies, actions, and failures
to act that may have contributed to widespread abuse of detainees.
The responsibility of civilian leaders remains essentially
unexamined.
- The results of the various Defense Department
reviews to date are highly inadequate. They were conducted with
limited or no cooperation from the CIA and left critical documents
missing, including key legal memos from the Justice Department, and
have reached conflicting conclusions.
- It is not enough to convict low-level soldiers
for the abuses.
- A full, objective, and independent inquiry into
the treatment of detainees would serve to restore the United States’
credibility and leadership in the world.
- A thorough investigation would protect our troops
and strengthen our standing to object to and take action against
anyone who mistreats an American prisoner of war.
- It would demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the
humane treatment of detainees.
Background
For further information and analysis on
the need for an independent commission, see a report by a colleague
organization Human Rights First.
About UUSC
The Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee advances human rights and social justice around the world,
partnering with those who confront unjust power structures, and
mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.
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