REFUSING TO KILL

CAMPAIGNING WITH MILITARY REFUSERS, WHISTLEBLOWERS & PRISONERS 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

 

Follow the links and visit our website refusingtokill.net for more information. Do write to refusers, whistleblowers and prisoners - your letters will help keep them going!  Send us your news and circulate this newsletter to help build a stronger international network of refusal.

 

EVENTS

US, 9-15 February  Rasmea Odeh, 67, Palestinian American community leader, tortured by the Israeli government in 1969, is facing sentencing for a trumped-up immigration charge on 12 March. Write to the Judge and join the National Week of Action 9-15 Feb.


Shandre Delaney, mother of one of the six, is leading the campaign.

PITTSBURGH 13 February PHILADELPHIA 14 FebruaryBenefits for the Dallas 6, six African-American prisoners in solitary confinement in a Pennsylvania prison who blew the whistle on and peacefully protested against torture and violence by prison guards. Four of them have a hearing on 19 Feb on arguments to dismiss charges.

 

UK, 16 February, Protest for Kevan Thakrar who was convicted of murders and other offences under the “Joint Enterprise” law despite not being present when the murders took place. A petition will soon be issued to demand his release from solitary confinement and for a fair trial.

 

US, Benton Harbor, 24 February  - New hearing for Reverend Edward Pinkney, convicted and sentenced to 30 months for "election law violation" .  Judge Schrock admitted there was no evidence against him and he wanted to set an example.  Attend the hearing and write to him.

LONDON ongoing - Support Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder. Join the vigil at the Ecuadorean embassy in London: Tue, Wed, Thu 4 -6pm and Sat 4.30 – 6.30pm.

CAMPAIGNING NEWS

US, PhiladelphiaCelebration of the life of Phil Africa who died in prison on 12 January.  He was one of the Move 9, falsely convicted in 1978 for murder and still protesting their conviction.  Support the Move 9 who have been denied parole since 2008.

US International whistleblower Chelsea Manning, jailed for 35 years, is now preparing her appeal. Supporters are also demanding clemency from President Obama. Write to Dept of Defense officials and to Chelsea to help keep her morale up!

US, Texas – People rightly complain about journalists arrested by the Egyptian government.  Is Texas an example for Egypt?  Activist-journalist Barrett Brown has been sentenced to 5 years in jail and ordered to pay $890,250 in restitution to companies he investigated, including defence contractor Stratfor. Write to him and donate to his defense fund.

UK – Sign the petition in favour of "Edna's law" making it a criminal offence to fail to act on whistleblowers' evidence and concerns. Edna was an elderly woman who died after abuse and neglect in a BUPA care home despite management having been informed.

NIGERIA, Lagos 54 soldiers were sentenced to the death penalty for embarrassing Nigeria's military by demanding weapons to confront Boko Haram, thus refusing what would have been a suicidal mission.  Check for updates on our website.

US – There is only one US government employee who has gone to jail in connection with the widespread CIA torture program: the man who exposed it seven years ago. Support ex-CIA employee John Kiriakou, still serving 30 months for "espionage".

Payday men's network payday@paydaynet.org   www.refusingtokill.net