ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Pass Amendments to Evacuate U.S. Citizens from Yemen, Close Prison at Guantanamo!
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | May 14, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) are urging all Americans concerned about the thousands of U.S. citizens trapped in Yemen to take action now!
Please contact your congressional House Representative by 6:00PM tonight and urge him or her to support Amendment 103 to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735), which calls on President Obama to evacuate American citizens and nationals trapped in Yemen. Offered by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and John Conyers (D-MI), Congress is expected to debate and vote on Amendment 103 tonight, May 14.
Take Action: Click here to send a letter to your Representative now!
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has made it difficult for Americans to depart Yemen. Approximately 5,000 Americans, of which nearly 900 have registered with StuckInYemen.com, are unable to leave Yemen after the closure of the United States Embassy in Yemen. In April 2015, ADC, CAIR and the Asian Law Caucus launched the website – StuckInYemen.com – to assist in identifying Americans who are in danger and are in need of their government’s assistance in getting to safety.
SEE: Arab, Muslim and Asian Groups Sue Kerry, Carter Over U.S. Citizens Trapped in Yemen
In February 2015, United States citizen Jamal al-Labani was killed in Yemen after the closure of the United States Embassy while attempting to bring his pregnant wife and 2-year-daughter back to the United States.
In 2006, the Department of Defense helped the Department of State remove 15,000 Americans from Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War. Many other nations, including China, Ethiopia, India, and Russia are evacuating or have evacuated their citizens from Yemen.
ADC and CAIR recognize that the NDAA as introduced includes onerous provisions that would seek to block the President’s initiative to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. That is why the two groups are also calling for support of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) backed Amendment 189 that provides a framework for closure of the detention facility by December 31, 2017. The amendment is sponsored by Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
TAKE ACTION:
ADC and CAIR have provided a “click and send” letter that you can use to ask your members of Congress to support Amendments 103 and 189 to the NDAA. In less than a minute you can urge your member of congress to authorize the evacuation American citizens and nationals trapped in Yemen and close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Should both amendments fail to pass, Congress is urged to vote against the House’s final adoption of the NDAA.
In April, ADC, CAIR and the Asian Law Caucus launched the website – StuckInYemen.com – to assist in identifying Americans who are in danger and are in need of their government’s assistance in getting to safety. To date, at least 881 people have either signed up or been identified by families members as needing assistance.
Founded in 1980 by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization committed to protecting civil rights, promoting mutual understanding, and preserving the Arab American cultural heritage. ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Take Action: Click here to send a letter to your Representative now!
Register now for the 2015 ADC National Convention!
The 2015 ADC National Convention will be hosted at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Every year, we are joined by hundreds of Arab-American community members, friends, and civil rights leaders to learn about and discuss issues affecting the Arab-American community. This year, ADC is celebrating 35 years of commitment to Civil Rights.
Register now to take advantage of the early bird registration, which will save you $100 off the normal registration price!
Reminder: The first 75 convention registrants are eligible to attend the State Department Briefing on Thursday, June 11 at 1:00PM. So register now to reserve your spot!
Register online at convention.adc.org or call us at (202) 244-2990.
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