Take Action Against the Military Commissions Act
Take action! On June 27, 2007, join the National Call-in to Restore Habeas Corpus! Call your state Representatives and Senators on the 27th and tell them to restore the ancient right of habeas corpus. More information.
Make a local statement of protest against the latest Orwellian law -- the Military Commissions Act! Join with groups around the country in signaling local outrage!
Start planning now:
- Contact Veterans for Peace and groups like Veterans Against Torture to join you
- Contact other veterans groups to find unexpected allies
- Contact east region organizer Ben Grosscup or west region organizer Hope Marston to see if a retired military leader, law professor, or law dean from your area has signed a letter opposing the Military Commissions Act. If we have contact information, you can ask that person to speak at your event.
- Check in with other allies throughout the community for organizing, postering, flyering, and speaker ideas.
- Find a location locally for high visibility.
- Invite city council, county board, and other public figures.
- Start a telephone tree to make sure your event is well-attended.
Activists in the Sacramento area organized a
Military Commissions Act protest rally on Veteran's Day at the
State Capitol. Click on Stephanie McMillan's cartoon for details and
a copy of a rally flyer. More of Stephanie's work can be seen at http://minimumsecurity.net
Resources
- Nov 14, 2005 letter signed by 370 law professors on the Graham-Levin-Kyl Amendment, which abolished habeas for Guantánamo detainees
- Sep 12, 2006 letter signed by 27 retired military leaders opposing the Military Commissions Act.
- Sep 27, 2006 letter signed by 72 law deans and presidents opposing the Military Commissions Act.
- Sep 28, 2006 letter signed by 556 law professors opposing the Military Commissions Act.
Putting a Human Face on Habeas Corpus
The Military Commissions Act enables the U.S. government to deny habeas corpus rights to any person who is not a U.S. citizen. This is a potential threat to any non-citizen who is a legal resident of the United States, and indeed, any person in the world.
What you can do locally:
- Make a list of prominent and beloved non-citizens/legal residents who potentially could be affected.
- Ask them if they’re willing to be named publicly to stir the public conscience.
- Start an advertisement campaign, collecting $5 or $10 or $25 from each person willing to sign the advertisement in support of habeas corpus rights for these beloved community members, and for all non-citizens.
- Use the money collected to run a ¼ page, or ½ page, or full page advertisement in your local paper with a title such as: "We Are Not Your Enemies!" "They Could Lock Me Up Without Court Review," or "Next Enemy Combatant: Your Neighbor."
Other Resources
Current Legislation
Military Commissions Act
-- Facts and Resources
BORDC General Resources Index
BORDC Fliers
Literature, Booklets, Presentations,
and Analyses
Links to Other Web Sites