Respect Life Archive

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Peace: Block the Sale of Arms to Bahrain

– November 3, 2011Posted in: CCSJ Advocacy Alerts, Justice & Advocacy Priorities, Peace

Amnesty International

The U.S. State Department is coming under fire for considering a $53 million arms sale. Why? Because since February of this year, the military, security and police forces of the prospective buyer — Bahrain — have used such weapons and military equipment to inflict deaths and injuries on protestors demanding greater political freedom. Moving forward with this arms sale would provide more weapons and equipment to the very Bahraini security forces who have already shot protestors. It would also cross a clear line of U.S. responsibility to protect human rights.That’s why right now members of Congress, led by Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Jim McGovern, are drawing a sharp line with a resolution aimed at blocking this arms sale. Bahrain’s horrible record on human rights continues to this day. At the peak of the crackdown, President Obama condemned the “mass arrests and brute force” used by the Bahraini government.Sign the petition here.

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Peace: End Torture

– October 14, 2011Posted in: Justice & Advocacy Priorities, Peace
Peace
Amnesty International
 

 

Our Senators are on the verge of passing legislation — the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, S. 1253) — with provisions that would essentially keep Guantanamo open indefinitely, despite President Obama’s executive order to close it. If that weren’t bad enough, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) may introduce a provision that would bring back “enhanced interrogation techniques” — that’s right, torture. With the Senate back in session, we have to move quickly to stop this insanity. Ask Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Harry Reid (D-NV) to use their influence to block these terrible provisions that make a mockery of human rights and the rule of law. It’s a critical time in our fight to close Guantanamo and ensure genuine justice for all of us. We’re approaching the 10th anniversary (on January 11, 2012) of the US government’s attempt to hold people outside of the law at Guantanamo. If we choose silence over action, Guantanamo may be with us not only for another ten years, but indefinitely.

We ask that you contact Senators Levin and Reid, critical decision makers who can shape the future of Guantanamo for years to come. They need to feel the pressure not only from their fellow legislators that oppose this bill, but from concerned citizens like you across the United States who can’t tolerate that Guantanamo exists in your name.

Take action now!
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Peace: End the Death Penalty

– October 13, 2011Posted in: CCSJ Advocacy Alerts, Justice & Advocacy Priorities, Peace
Peace
Amnesty International
 

The state of Georgia shocked the world when it ended Troy Davis’ life on September 21, 2011. In the face of significant doubts, Georgia proceeded with the execution of someone who may well have been innocent. In the midst of this horrible tragedy, we have seen an unprecedented surge of energy to end the death penalty. Troy Davis put a face on the death penalty in the U.S. — making it painfully clear why this flawed and horrific system must be abolished at once. It was Troy’s final wish for us to keep fighting for all of the other Troy Davises on death row. And on Monday, October 10 — World Day against the Death Penalty — we’ll use our renewed energy and passion to take aim at doing just that. We believe the next Troy Davis could be Reggie Clemons in Missouri. Elements of Reggie’s case may sound familiar:

  • No physical evidence linking Clemons to the crime
  • Two highly questionable witnesses – both of whom were suspects in the crime
  • Alleged police coercion
  • Racial bias – evidenced by the jury selection where blacks were disproportionately dismissed.

But the biggest similarity between the cases of Troy Davis and Reggie Clemons — overwhelming doubt! The state of Georgia may have taken the life of Troy Davis, but it did not stop our struggle to create a country and world where human dignity and human life are respected.

Take action to support Reggie Clemons and work to end the death penalty!
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Poverty: Protect the Least of your Brothers & Sisters…

– October 11, 2011Posted in: CCSJ Advocacy Alerts, Justice & Advocacy Priorities, Poverty

Famine grips East Africa, floods ravage South Asia

What’s the issue? Your Catholic faith teaches you to protect people who are hungry, thirsty, seeking refuge and care. Life-saving poverty-focused international assistance that fights hunger, disease and makes communities facing natural disasters more resilient, such as those in East Africa and South Asia, makes up less than 1% of the U.S. federal budget. However, Congress is considering proposals right now that would drastically cut assistance to people in dire need. While our nation’s leaders must address unsustainable deficits, you need to speak up now in support of poverty-focused international assistance so that life-changing and life-saving interventions can continue to help our brothers and sisters who need it most. 12 million people in East Africa who are facing malnutrition and starvation right now are relying on your voice and our nation’s leadership to save their lives.

Why now? Congress and the President are now negotiating and making decisions about final funding levels for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 federal budget, which began on October 1 and how to deal with our nation’s deficits in the long-term. Your action is particularly important now because the funding levels for FY 2012 will become the template for decisions about how much the U.S. invests in life-saving poverty-focused assistance for the next decade. Poverty-focused international assistance doesn’t have a large, vocal constituency unless you speak up now. Don’t make this lifesaving assistance one of the easiest areas for your elected officials to cut in the federal budget even though it’s less than 1% of the budget.

What do you want me to do? Contact President Obama and your senators and urge them to preserve life-saving, poverty-focused international assistance in the upcoming deficit reduction negotiations and the FY 2012 appropriations process.

Click here to take action!

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Peace: Pledge for Pro-life. Pledge for the abolition of the Death Penalty…

– September 30, 2011Posted in: CCSJ Advocacy Alerts, Justice & Advocacy Priorities, Peace

Amnesty International

The state of Georgia shamefully executed Troy Davis on September 21, 2011 despite serious doubts about his guilt.  However, they cannot stop our struggle for all the Troy Davis’ of the world.

By signing the Not in my Name Pledge, we ask that you commit to working for death penalty abolition in your community, in your state, in your country and around the world.

Sign the pledge here

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