by Bob Cooke, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore
As you probably know, widespread hunger strikes broke out at the Guantanamo prison camp almost 90 days ago. Our country’s leaders, as demonstrated by President Obama’s remarks deploring the situation last week, have started paying attention. But we need to make sure our elected officials act quickly and decisively before any of the hunger strikers die.
A small delegation, including two Pax Christi members, visited Congressman James Moran (D-VA) last Tuesday and Congressman Moran offered to host a Congressional briefing which will take place on Friday morning, May 10th at 10am. Please contact your Member of Congress immediately (preferably no later than Thursday morning) and ask them:
- To send at least one staff member to this Guantanamo Congressional Staff briefing;
- To help stop the hunger strike by taking concrete action to quickly release Guantanamo detainees who have already been cleared for release;
- To close Guantanamo completely by transferring those who are not cleared for release to the U.S. for speedy and fair trials.
For more information on the Congressional briefing, click here for a PDF of the invitation. Let’s make it a goal for PCUSA members around the country to call each of the 435 Members of Congress and ask them to send a staffer!
In support of this effort, we hope you’ll take a look at this Prayer-Study-Action e-bulletin.