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Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself.
Dear Friends,
June is Torture Awareness Month.
The Bush Administration and Congress have ignored their obligation to end the torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. military custody and restore faith in America's commitment to human rights at home and around the world.
The MCLU is calling on our leaders to end the cruel and inhumane (and illegal) treatment of detainees in our custody. This week, we published op-eds in the Lewiston and Bangor papers. Read them here:
Shena Bellows: http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=136198&z=35%20class=
Rachel Myers: http://www.sunjournal.com/search/story.php?ID=162595
Here's how YOU can take action:
1. Write a letter to the editor. Remind the people in your town that torture is real and it is still happening. Demand an end to the practice of holding detainees indefinitely without trying them or allowing them access to a lawyer. Call on President Bush to close Guantanamo. If you'd like help writing a letter, give me a call at 774-5444.
2. Join an anti-torture vigil or start your own. There's one every Wednesday at 12:30 in Monument Square, Portland. Start one in your town! Gather folks from Amnesty International, the faith community, human rights groups, and people who just plain care. Make signs, make noise, make change from the ground up.
3. Contact your Senators. Last year, Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced the Convention Against Torture Implementation Act (S. 654). This bill would ban the outsourcing of detainees in U.S. custody to countries known to torture prisoners (extraordinary rendition). The bill is poised to pass out of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to the floor of the Senate, where it will need the support of both Senators from Maine. Please call Senators Snowe and Collins and urge them to support S. 654, the Convention Against Torture Implementation Act. Because there is no excuse for torture.
Senator Snowe:
Toll Free in Maine(800) 432-1599
D.C. Office 202-224-5344
Auburn Office (207) 786-2451
Augusta Office (207) 622-8292
Bangor Office (207) 945-0432
Biddeford Office (207) 282-4144
Portland Office (207) 874-0883
Presque Isle Office (207)764-5124
Senator Collins:
D.C. Office (202) 224-2523
Augusta Office (207) 622-8414
Bangor Office (207) 945-0417
Biddeford Office (207) 283-1101
Caribou Office (207) 493-7873
Lewiston Office (207) 784-6969
Portland Office (207) 780-3575
To read more about the treatment of detainees in U.S. military custody, click here: http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/index.html
Action Alert System Update
Click here to update your Democracy in Action profile: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/mclu/profile/profile.jsp
Updating your profile on Democracy In Action will allow us to send action alerts, petitions, etc. that are tailored to your geographic location and specific interest areas. Please let me know if you are unable to access your account with this link.
The voices of the MCLU are making a difference. Thanks for adding yours.
Best,
Rachel
Rachel L. Myers
Field Organizer
Maine Civil Liberties Union
www.mclu.org
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