Email 5/27/09 from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Dear NRCAT Supporter:

NRCAT is sponsoring a major event led by seven heads of faith groups and other senior religious leaders in front of the White House at noon on Thursday, June 11, to urge President Obama to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigate U.S torture practices since 9/11. Our goal is to have 1,000 people of faith join us. We need your help make that happen.

In his speech on Guantanamo and torture last week, the President reiterated his opposition to appointing such a commission. We are disappointed and believe he is wrong. By making our position visible, we seek to change his mind.

Discovering the truth makes us free, holds people accountable, and can bring healing and transformation. The results of the investigation will also make it possible for the Congress to put the needed safeguards in place to assure that U.S.-sponsored torture never takes place again.

The list of confirmed senior national religious leaders who will provide leadership during the witness at the White House on June 11, other details about the event and promotional fliers are all available here.

This event has the potential for having a significant impact as we advocate for a Commission of Inquiry. With the ongoing public debate, there may be no better or more compelling time than now to make our voices heard. Here are several ways you can help make the June 11 event a success:

Join us at the White House for this religious witness. We know folks from as far away as Los Angeles who are traveling to stand with us on that day.

Organize a carpool or van from your congregation to come to DC for June 11.

Share the information with family, friends, clergy and congregations in the DC region, encouraging them to distribute the event flier and to be present for this witness.

Organize a local event on June 11 to give local visibility to this witness.
Connect all your Torture Awareness Month activities with this national witness by informing members of the congregation, participants in your local event, and reporters that your activities are part of a national effort that includes the June 11 witness at the White House.

Continue to check here for more information and more ideas about the June 11 event.

If your congregation has an anti-torture banner, bring it with you to the event. If you are unable to come, and your congregation has a customized banner (e.g. "First Presbyterian Church says torture is wrong"), send it to the NRCAT office, and we will find someone to hold your banner during the event.

We hope that you and your congregation are also preparing for Torture Awareness Month activities. (Resources for worship, study, outreach, advocacy and action are all available here.) Please let us know about your plans by responding to this brief survey.

Thank you for all you have done to end U.S.-sponsored torture.

Sincerely,

Linda Gustitus, President
Rich Killmer, Executive Director


You have received this message because you endorsed the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture OR you signed up to receive more information from NRCAT.

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Questions? Please email campaign@nrcat.org
National Religious Campaign Against Torture: www.tortureisamoralissue.org


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