Your way to help stop torture:
Sign NC Peace Action petition on CIA "rendition" flights out of NC.
The group "NC Stop Torture Now" has publicized the fact that secret "torture
taxis" have flown out of NC airports. The NC Council of Churches has joined
with this campaign to investigate and end any NC complicity in sending
suspects in the "war on terror" to other countries to be tortured.
Please print out the petition and obtain signatures and send them in to
NC Peace Action.
This is something we can concretely do to stand against torture financed by
our tax dollars.
8 ARRESTED IN NC STOP TORTURE NOW CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: To see video, click here.
The expected October jury trial for the three convicted protesters from the group called the “Aero 8,” including former Council staff member Barbara Zelter, did not occur, as the Johnston County District Attorney’s office dropped the charge of trespass. The Aero 8 were arrested as they crossed onto the property of Aero Contractors last Easter Monday.
On October 27, a march and rally took place in front of the Aero operation at the Johnston County airport, with the theme: Stop the War,
Read Council staff Barbara Zelter’s story of Easter Monday arrest at Aero Contractors. Click here.
See faith testimony at May 10 trial of “Aero 8” member Scott Bass.
July 2007 Update on Stop Torture Now:
Additional light is shining on the covert CIA flights
that take prisoners to be tortured overseas. Former Council
staff Barbara Zelter is one of three NC Stop Torture Now
(NCSTN) members who were recently convicted of trespass
at Aero Contractors in Smithfield, NC, on Easter Monday,
for their attempt to serve citizens arrest papers on the
company for its complicity in “torture taxi” flights.
The three have appealed the convictions and await jury
trial. They meet with Johnston County court officials on
July 11 to learn whether the case will be dropped or tried.
Meanwhile, NCSTN volunteers are learning to assist
with “planespotting,” to document whether known CIA
rendition planes are still operating out of our state. And
they are clarifying Aero’s status at the state-financed
Global TransPark in Kinston. International anti-torture
groups are now partnering with North Carolinians in the
cause of exposing extraordinary rendition and stopping it.
Through the actions of NC Stop Torture Now and others,
Congress has begun to investigate the hidden system
that allows torture in our name. The Council’s participation
with NC Stop Torture Now is part of our historical ongoing
peace witness. Additional information is available at
www.ncstoptorturenow.org.
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Three Aero protestors trespassed, judge says
Three of eight activists were found guilty of trespassing during an April 9 protest against Aero Contractors, a flight company based at the Johnston County Airport.
Click here for the complete story ...
National Council of Churches supports UN call to close Guantanamo camp and renews request to Rice for permission to visit. For details....
H.R. 1217: Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2005:
Click here for more information on this House bill before Congress.
"Feeling Betrayed By An Unholy War" by Barbara Zelter
RELEVANT POLICY STATEMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL:
Statement on Terrorism and War
The Iraq War and the Use of Torture by Our Country
Units in Acts of Faith: Resources for Prophetic Worship
"Speak Peace To The People"
"War & Conflicts"
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture(NRCAT) offers a new resource: Questions for candidates for the U.S. House and Senate that you can use during this campaign month.
These questions were designed to help you, members of your faith group, and other friends learn where your candidates stand on important torture issues. A cover letter provides several options for using the questions. Download the cover letter and questions (in PDF) or view on the NRCAT web site.
Liturgy Model 1
Liturgy Model 2
Hymns
Note: NEW National Baptist Resolution on Iraq and Katrina
“North Carolina at War”—new study on cost of Iraq War to our state. Click here to see announcement.
Prayers from "Hope For Middle East Peace" Community Prayer Day
Teaching materials (6-week curriculum) called "Raising Conscientious Objector Consciousness Among Our Youth" are available from Quaker House, www.fgcquaker.org (click on Teaching Resources).
Story from Christian Peacemaker Team member on meeting Arizona border Minuteman vigilante.
United Methodist Bishops Back Complete Ban on Nuclear Weapons; Church
Joins in Prayer for Victims of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings. Click here to read the article.
How do we answer the question: "Now that we are in Iraq, aren't we responsible to stay and make sure there is no bloodbath when we leave?" More....
A pastor's call to end the American Empire
Mother's Day as a Peace Initiative
Celtic Blessing
Peace poem by Mary Oliver
Willie Nelson: Peace Song
Peace Rally Speech: "A Christian View of Bush"
Article: Soldier Lifts Lid on Camp Delta
Article on Muslims and Terrorism
Article: Military Recruiters Targeting Minority Teens
Confessing Christ in a World of Violence
sbradford@nccouncilofchurches.org
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