3.17.2009

movement to indict u.s. war criminals

I've been reluctant to post this, but I need to get past my cynicism, and follow my own advice. Don't weigh the odds of positive outcome before taking action, because you don't know what the future holds. Just take action. Change starts with a movement, and all movements start with a dream.

In this case, action takes only a few moments, and it's - at the very least - a symbolic way to express our disgust and outrage. So if you haven't signed any of these petitions yet, check them out. There are dozens of groups circulating similar ideas; these seem to be the best organized.

Plenty of links at each site.

IndictBushNow:
A New Campaign: Indict Bush Now!
Hold Bush and His Joint Co-Conspirators Criminally Accountable!

You can join the movement to indict Bush Administration officials who committed war crimes, "legalized" torture, and engaged in massive illegal spying and wiretapping against the American people. Click this link if you support the indictment of George W. Bush and other high officials.

Center for Constitutional Rights:
Accountability and Prosecutions for Bush Administration Crimes

The petition below calls for accountability and prosecutions for the high-ranking members of the Bush administration involved in war crimes and torture. Please sign today to make your voice heard in favor of criminal prosecution for these government officials who sought to place themselves outside the law.

Avaaz:
War on Terror: Demand the Truth. . . To the US Government: We welcome President Obama's announcements to begin to end the abusive tactics and policies of Bush's 'War on Terror'. We urge that an independent body is set up to fully investigate those practices, that those responsible are held accountable, and that future US anti terror practices rigorously conform with human rights principles and the rule of law. With this, a new beginning in global relations is possible.

After Downing Street's ProsecuteBushCheney.org:
WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Prosecutions:

Federal:


Add your organization or individual name to joint statement requesting a Special Prosecutor. Ask organizations you're in touch with to sign on. The demand for prosecution has been supported by many members of Congress.

Sign a petition asking Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in war crimes. Sign now.

Collect signatures in the real world by printing out this PDF. Please enter the data you collect on the petition online and/or mail the completed (or partially completed) forms to JDS, 4407 Garrison Street NW, Washington DC 20016.

Phone and Email and fax the Office of the Attorney General at 202-514-2001 AskDOJ@usdoj.gov fax:202-307-6777 to request a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in war crimes.

In June 2008, 56 Democratic Congress members, led by Congressman John Conyers, wrote to Attorney General Mukasey asking for a Special Prosecutor. Conyers and Congressman Jerrold Nadler wrote to Mukasey again in December 2008. Please ask them to re-send these letters to the new Attorney General, Eric Holder. Conyers 202-225-5126, Nadler 202-225-5635. Nadler says he's drafting a new letter.

Congressman John Conyers has proposed extending statutes of limitations on Bush-Cheney crimes. Help make this happen.

Contact the State Department's Office of War Crimes Issues and urge them to ask Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in war crimes.

Here are tips and info on contacting Congress.

State and Local:

Bush and others can be indicted at the state or district level for murder. Please take these steps.

International:

The International Criminal Court can also indict. Please request it.

Foreign:

Our friends at the Center for Constitutional Rights are coordinating with attorneys pursuing prosecutions in other countries.

Impeachment:

While Bush and Cheney can and should still be impeached, a more likely success would be the impeachment of Jay Bybee. Please ask your Congress member to pursue it: 202-224-3121.

Production of Information:

Overwhelming evidence of probable cause for prosecutions is in the public realm, in some cases including public confessions and other evidence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. No one should be denied a fair trial, but no trials should be delayed which are already compelled by the evidence. A prosecutorial investigation would be the most effective tool for producing additional evidence. The facts on Bush and Cheney are well known, and those on their chief co-conspirators somewhat less so. Making these facts better known and producing more of them is a worthwhile task, secondary to pursuing prosecutions. . . .

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