Two actions to take today, May 12th
Please join the Fellowship of Reconciliation in the following two actions today. First, in follow-up to yesterday's wonderful news about the Iranian court system's release of journalist Roxana Saberi, today is the global day of action for Doctors Kamiar and Arash Alaei, pioneers of harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Iran. The brothers, both medical doctors based in the United States but working around the world, have been detained for almost a year and sentenced to prison in Tehran. The Iranian government says they used trips to AIDS conferences worldwide to foment a velvet revolution.
FOR joins with Physicians for Human Rights in saying, TREATING AIDS IS NOT A CRIME. Please sign the updated online petition on behalf of the Alaeis, and support them by attending a "Virtual Vigil" organized by PHR today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EST). If you are in the NYC or DC area, there are also live rallies that will be held on their behalf.
Second, call your member of Congress today about ending funding for the war. FOR is joining with United for Peace and Justice and dozens of other national organizations in this massive effort to press our legislators on this critical issue.
The Obama administration has asked Congress for another $83.4 billion in Supplemental funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As it stands now, the House Appropriations Committee has actually increased this amount to $94.2 billion. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents that this war funding bill is not acceptable! Voting on the Supplemental will be happening as early as this week. It is vitally important that people across the country send a clear and rapid message that this bill continues and extends the failed policies of the past administration.
Join the National Call-In Day and let Congress know that while we support funding for the safe withdrawal of troops, and for diplomacy, economic assistance, and humanitarian aid, we oppose more money for war. While making that call, urge them to co-sponsor a bill by Congressman James McGovern that would require President Obama to provide an exit plan for Afghanistan no later than December 2009.
