It's becoming clear: the Bush Administration seems to be on a war path to Iran and they're stopping at nothing to try to make their case. The administration is busy making allegations based on flimsy evidence produced by anonymous experts without any supportive evidence, but we still have time to prevent this tragedy.
As early as this week the House of Representatives is likely to vote on Resolution 362, also known as the Iran War Resolution. In the Senate, Resolution 580, a sister resolution was introduced by Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh on June 2.
For decades, concerned communities have pleaded with the auto industry to produce zero emissions vehicles. And for decades those pleas have fallen on deaf ears. As our air thickens with exhaust, courtrooms turn into the battleground for a clean environment, and evidence of climate chaos builds around us, the auto industry continues to produce gas-guzzlers. The terrifying twist of irony is that the industry now seeks a life-line from the very taxpayers whose environment they polluted and climate they jeopardized.
The auto industry is a day late and several billion dollars short in producing zero emissions automobiles that people now see are a necessary reality.
This is a watershed moment for the economy and the climate. $25 billion to continue business as usual is not an option. If we are truly committed to transitioning off fossil fuels and jumpstarting a new clean economy, now is the moment. It doesn’t get any more clear or urgent…
There are 3 things we need to ask our representatives in DC to demand from the auto industry if they are to take $25 billion of our tax dollars.
1. We will not pay if you pollute!
The Big 3 (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) must commit to being the most fuel-efficient fleets on the planet. Mandate a fleet-wide fuel economy of 50 mpg by 2015.
2. Give us clean options!
Each of the Big 3 (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) must commit to producing 1 million Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) by 2012 and 3 million PHEV’s by 2015.
3. Create green industry!
Commit to retooling the entire industry to produce these vehicles and lead the way into a new green economy.
No More Deaths hopes you will contact Jane Lyder, the Legislative Counsel for the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. before our meeting with BANWR on Thursday, September 10th. You can write or edit the letter we've set up below. If you have the time to call her instead, that would be great. She can be reached at 202-208-4416.
Please write to Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, asking him to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with humanitarian groups to prevent needless death and suffering on public lands.
Please take a few moments to customize this letter. It's much more effective if you use your own words. Here are some good points to emphasize:
A human rights emergency on the border is being ignored. 206 known deaths this year in the Tucson Sector.
Border militarization responsible for these deaths—death as a deterrent.
Far from being criminal, the work of No More Deaths and other humanitarian groups upholds fundamental human rights.
Political prosecution of Walt Staton (and earlier, Dan Millis)—part of ongoing effort to criminalize humanitarian aid.
U.S. government in violation of international human rights law, according to UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights.
U.S. government trampling domestic environmental law to build the wall.
Environmental impact of plastic bottles is negligible compared to Dept. of Homeland Security activities.
Federal officials need to acknowledge legitimacy of humanitarian efforts and stop blocking and interfering with them.
Secretary Salazar should sign Memorandum of Understanding with humanitarian groups.
Your name and contact information is automatically added at the end of your letter.
No More Deaths volunteer Walt Staton is being resentenced by Judge Jennifer Guerin this Friday, December 4. We are encouraging other volunteers to write polite letters to Judge Guerin, asking her to give Walt a sentence that recognizes his respect for the rule of law: no fines, no community service, and no jail time. Walt put water in the desert in order to uphold the fundamental human right to life. His behavior throughout the legal process has demonstrated accountability to the legal order, underscoring his respect for the law.
If you know Walt personally and can testify to his character and sincerity, that would also be helpful. It would also be great if you could sign your letter as a representative of your home community or organization.
Your name and contact information is automatically added at the end of your letter.
Please write to Dennis Burke, US Attorney in Arizona, asking him to recommend a suspended sentence in Walt’s case and to state publicly that he will not waste public resources on prosecuting humanitarians.
Please take some time to customize this letter. It's much more effective if you use your own words and emphasize your own biggest concerns.
Your name and contact information is automatically added at the end of your letter.
Please write to Dennis Burke, US Attorney in Arizona, asking him to recommend a suspended sentence in Walt’s case and to state publicly that he will not waste public resources on prosecuting humanitarians.
Please take some time to customize this letter. It's much more effective if you use your own words and emphasize your own biggest concerns.
Your name and contact information is automatically added at the end of your letter.
Please write to Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, asking him to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with humanitarian groups to prevent needless death and suffering on public lands.
Please take a few moments to customize this letter. It's much more effective if you use your own words. Here are some good points to emphasize:
A human rights emergency on the border is being ignored. 206 known deaths this year in the Tucson Sector.
Border militarization responsible for these deaths—death as a deterrent.
Far from being criminal, the work of No More Deaths and other humanitarian groups upholds fundamental human rights.
Political prosecution of Walt Staton (and earlier, Dan Millis)—part of ongoing effort to criminalize humanitarian aid.
U.S. government in violation of international human rights law, according to UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights.
U.S. government trampling domestic environmental law to build the wall.
Environmental impact of plastic bottles is negligible compared to Dept. of Homeland Security activities.
Federal officials need to acknowledge legitimacy of humanitarian efforts and stop blocking and interfering with them.
Secretary Salazar should sign Memorandum of Understanding with humanitarian groups.
Your name and contact information is automatically added at the end of your letter.
