SUGGESTIONS FROM QUIT WORKING GROUPS 2006 CONFERENCE on

Direct Action, Legislative/Legal, Media/Strategy, Education, Prisons, and Treatment

Direct Action Working Group-

Suggestions for actions that could be done by each person/meeting:

June 26^th – UN International Day in Support for Victims of Torture, some sort of action; go to website for suggestions, www.irct.org
On International Human Rights Day, December 10^th, an international day of Quaker action
Send a Quaker contingent to support the SOA demonstration in November
Get monthly meetings to commit on regular action to make the issue of torture visible. Bring the issue to our Yearly Meetings

Ways to demonstrate support:

Meetings adopt a detainee from Guantanamo and write letters to legislators
Distribute tea candles to friends and strangers and ask them to light a candle for a detainee
Target companies profiteering from the war – by protesting while wearing orange jump suits, etc.
Hold a vigil with participants wearing orange jump suits once a week explaining what is going on
Day of Silence – literature to pass out to explain the reason for the silence
Get local theatre to show “Road to Guantanamo”
Inform candidates about torture issues; bird-dog those candidates who fail to state their position/opposition.
Give house party where Frontline’s “The Torture Question” is shown
Wear orange wristbands with the name of prisoners on them
Encourage meetings and individuals to display banners that say “Torture Is Wrong”
Sign Humboldt Meeting’s petition to go to Guantanamo to visit prisoners.
Fast on June 26 in solidarity with International Day in Support for Victims of Torture
Support Quaker witness at Ft. Bragg in conjunction with Quaker House
Monterrey Peninsula Friends: Burma Shave-type signs —“Our intentions are simple...torture must be stopped…”

Education Working Group

Success Stories:

The power of using education to create social change was illustrated by several success stories, including:

· The movement to gain acceptance of civil unions in Vermont

· The campaign to require truth in military recruitment in Orange County, CA

· The Resolve Initiative to encourage and empower grass roots political action by educating people about how to articulate the issue;

Listening → understanding → desire to act (feeling of empowerment)

Issues:

Need for information that will allow individuals to articulate information/ issues surrounding torture in a concise way
Among Friends there is often friction between political/activist and spiritual perspectives – what has become of the united moral/ethical voice?
How does one maintain hope? One element is to increase one’s understanding – so that the issues become less monolithic and one can see the doors and windows.
There is a fear that no one will want to hear the stories we have to tell – stories of torture are so grim, and activists are often too tired to become energized.

Advices:

When attempting to teach, it is essential to find out where the learner is. This can be done by asking questions, so the learner is not overwhelmed or ‘turned off’ by the dialogue. Meet the person where they are.
In terms of curriculum, it is advisable to look at work done by agencies with kindred missions, such as Amnesty International to avoid reinventing the wheel.
If there is no joy in this work, then one should find other work. It is impossible to convince someone by simply ‘telling’, there must be a sense of enthusiasm in the process.

We are simply one among many, and we cannot control how our information will be received, but – if we can connect, then the web of life in which one person talks to another can make a small thing something much larger.

Rather than beginning with ideology, start with where you are. Your feelings of concern for the individual and our country give a heartfelt opening to speak with those with very different attitudes and beliefs.
We must use the gifts and experiences we have to begin to educate ourselves and others. Faithfulness to the task is essential.

Legislation/Legal Working Group

Activities:

Observing June 26^th , International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, and lobbying afterwards
Locating Republicans to co-sponsor R. Markey (MA) bill to stop outsourcing of torture
Establish torture-free zones

Other opportunities:

Lawyers Against Torture network can be formed. National Lawyers Guild, Human Rights First, American Constitution Society, ABA – how can these resources be tapped, e.g., rebuttals to Gonzales? Women Lawyer’s Society meetings could be held on a torture program.
Look at disciplining those who have ‘tortured’ the law and delivered twisted decisions – i.e., the Attorney General’s twisting the law to fit the President’s programs. (Along the lines of the censure of members of the American Psychiatric Association who failed ethical standards by participating, in some way, in torture.)
Extraordinary rendition is widely disliked across the political spectrum and could serve as a theme during anti-torture month.
Have a ‘talk’ prepared to deliver to local service clubs.
Resource: www.bushcrimescommission.com

Legislative Opportunities:

Local issues such as attempting to stop the use of a county airport to export detainees for torture (rendition) – A.I.has a database of photos to show which airports and carriers are doing it.
Local efforts to create torture-free zones.
H.R. 952 is the House anti-rendition bill; S. 654 is the Senate anti-rendition bill, which is more comprehensive than HR 952 – wide support and outrage (not just Democratic) is needed for the passage of this bill. Building long-term relationships with members of Congress and their staffs is essential.
There is a need for legislation to prevent torture by state agents within US territory
A claim of systematic police brutality in Chicago has been condemned by the UN, and a cleanup demanded.

General Recommendations:

Have monthly meetings minute their support of QUIT initiative and publicize this action
George Rubin is a contact at Friend’s Journal
Monthly Meetings sign on to NRCAT
Give support to like-minded ecumenical groups and publicize, e.g., interfaith councils
Ongoing committee responsibilities of legislators should be monitored – not exclusive to specific bills.

Media/Strategy Working Group

Goal: To break the silence.

Methodology: The creation of a counter-story to dispute the official line of “We don’t torture except to keep you safe, so let’s change the subject.”

Elements of a Counter-Story:

A media campaign would involve 2-3 short points, repeated several times
Don’t use “Torture doesn’t work”; it might not be sound reasoning.
Torture is a moral outrage; a moral, not political issue

Human rights are on the march. Restore freedom, end torture.
End torture, affirm humanity.
Torture is humans dehumanizing humans
Quakers say torture is wrong.
Torture is terrorism.
If the regime in power (authority) now has the power to declare people outside the law, this undercuts the premise that we are a nation of laws. As this action is legitimized, i.e., the government ‘gets away with it,’ citizens are in a frightening position. No longer is ‘no one above the law.’ When legal restraints don’t apply to those in power, there is no protection for the common citizen. There is tyranny.
Frame the issue of torture in terms of American mythology – torture is immoral and un-Christian; the American Way does not include torture.
Torture hurts people – would redefine ‘the other’ and characterize its victims as people – not criminals
The message of Jesus, “Whatever you do to the least of these…you do to me….”
A “culture of life” rejects torture.
Save democracy – stop torture.
Obey the law – stop torture.
Torture! The American Way??
Save democracy – stop torture.
Support the troops, end torture (because what goes around comes around)
Quakers need a religious narrative, e.g., “That of God” means no torture
Don’t forget the torturers; Quakers see light in them as well.

Questions to be prepared for:

What about people’s children in the military? What if they torture?
Many numbers suffer in war, etc. – Why are we so upset about the relatively few?

Actions:

Talk about what we will do next.
June National Torture Awareness month
June 26 Lobby Day – extraordinary rendition
Quaker presence -- peace vigils; signs “Stop Torture;” July 4^th parades; literature on festival tables; speak to church groups
Get message and testimony of torture victims into local media, including public and college radio
Share writings on website, listserv
Report on things done and in progress
Talk with people you see everyday
List all groups doing torture activities – cooperate don’t duplicate
Show SOA film,” Hidden in Plain Sight”
Get strong voices on radio – C. Fager’s interview with O’Reilly transcript at www.afriendlyletter.com tells how he prepared and stayed on message.
Get the issue on ministers’ and others’ blogs.
Listen to others.

Prisons Working Group

Activities:

Continue communicating with each other as a group
Educate ourselves regarding what AFSC and others have already learned
Pick an area of torture we see manifested in one facility that we could impact over the next year –AND work on it.
Share what we learn about global and national issues with our monthly meetings.

Specific Initiatives:

Offer to teach Spanish to officers/guards
Identify what can be done to create more human childbirth environments
Begin AVP
Begin to understand specifics of what is going on at local County Jail, e.g., union issues, policies, etc.
Attempt to understand issues of segregation – in terms of how units are constructed
“People who are in prison,” is the preferred term vs. inmates or prisoner.

Treatment Working Group

Action Opportunities:

· Develop a list of resources for people who want to help others and educate themselves further, and who may want to visit torture treatment centers, refugee resettlement agencies & explore ways to volunteer.

· Research unmet needs in torture treatment centers (from the perspective of conflict resolution)

· Visitation and therapy work (pro bono) in detention centers for those seeking asylum

· Make contact with family centers on military bases to see what needs exist

· Pursue the opportunity to support a special unit of the GI hotline to deal with veterans who call in with issues relating to the witnessing or involvement in torture

Individual Action Opportunities:

Connect with military families and/or reach out to local vets groups
Talk to local POW groups about QUIT conference – suggest POW groups come out against torture
Volunteer at local torture treatment center and bring it up within our communities of faith
Work on ourselves regarding these issues
Visit asylum seekers – offer AVP
Try to go to Guantanamo (Humboldt MM) – and in the meantime, work in prisons to provide witness or relief.
Awareness of those who work in domestic violence shelters of issues surrounding returning soldiers – lend support to them
In working with individuals who may have experience of torture, e.g., ESL programs, remain sensitive to potential issues and make their experience as safe and welcoming as possible. Be aware of as many references that might be helpful as possible.
Be aware of how to advocate for people who are arrested unjustly.


	SUGGESTIONS FROM QUIT WORKING GROUPS 2006 CONFERENCE on Direct Action, Legislative/Legal, Media/Strategy, Education, Prisons, and Treatment Direct Action Working Group- Suggestions for actions that could be done by each person/meeting: June 26^th – UN International Day in Support for Victims of Torture, some sort of action; go to website for suggestions, www.irct.org On International Human Rights Day, December 10^th, an international day of Quaker action Send a Quaker contingent to support the SOA demonstration in November Get monthly meetings to commit on regular action to make the issue of torture visible. Bring the issue to our Yearly Meetings Ways to demonstrate support: Meetings adopt a detainee from Guantanamo and write letters to legislators Distribute tea candles to friends and strangers and ask them to light a candle for a detainee Target companies profiteering from the war – by protesting while wearing orange jump suits, etc. Hold a vigil with participants wearing orange jump suits once a week explaining what is going on Day of Silence – literature to pass out to explain the reason for the silence Get local theatre to show “Road to Guantanamo” Inform candidates about torture issues; bird-dog those candidates who fail to state their position/opposition. Give house party where Frontline’s “The Torture Question” is shown Wear orange wristbands with the name of prisoners on them Encourage meetings and individuals to display banners that say “Torture Is Wrong” Sign Humboldt Meeting’s petition to go to Guantanamo to visit prisoners. Fast on June 26 in solidarity with International Day in Support for Victims of Torture Support Quaker witness at Ft. Bragg in conjunction with Quaker House Monterrey Peninsula Friends: Burma Shave-type signs —“Our intentions are simple...torture must be stopped…” Education Working Group Success Stories: The power of using education to create social change was illustrated by several success stories, including: · The movement to gain acceptance of civil unions in Vermont · The campaign to require truth in military recruitment in Orange County, CA · The Resolve Initiative to encourage and empower grass roots political action by educating people about how to articulate the issue; Listening → understanding → desire to act (feeling of empowerment) Issues: Need for information that will allow individuals to articulate information/ issues surrounding torture in a concise way Among Friends there is often friction between political/activist and spiritual perspectives – what has become of the united moral/ethical voice? How does one maintain hope? One element is to increase one’s understanding – so that the issues become less monolithic and one can see the doors and windows. There is a fear that no one will want to hear the stories we have to tell – stories of torture are so grim, and activists are often too tired to become energized. Advices: When attempting to teach, it is essential to find out where the learner is. This can be done by asking questions, so the learner is not overwhelmed or ‘turned off’ by the dialogue. Meet the person where they are. In terms of curriculum, it is advisable to look at work done by agencies with kindred missions, such as Amnesty International to avoid reinventing the wheel. If there is no joy in this work, then one should find other work. It is impossible to convince someone by simply ‘telling’, there must be a sense of enthusiasm in the process. We are simply one among many, and we cannot control how our information will be received, but – if we can connect, then the web of life in which one person talks to another can make a small thing something much larger. Rather than beginning with ideology, start with where you are. Your feelings of concern for the individual and our country give a heartfelt opening to speak with those with very different attitudes and beliefs. We must use the gifts and experiences we have to begin to educate ourselves and others. Faithfulness to the task is essential. Legislation/Legal Working Group Activities: Observing June 26^th , International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, and lobbying afterwards Locating Republicans to co-sponsor R. Markey (MA) bill to stop outsourcing of torture Establish torture-free zones Other opportunities: Lawyers Against Torture network can be formed. National Lawyers Guild, Human Rights First, American Constitution Society, ABA – how can these resources be tapped, e.g., rebuttals to Gonzales? Women Lawyer’s Society meetings could be held on a torture program. Look at disciplining those who have ‘tortured’ the law and delivered twisted decisions – i.e., the Attorney General’s twisting the law to fit the President’s programs. (Along the lines of the censure of members of the American Psychiatric Association who failed ethical standards by participating, in some way, in torture.) Extraordinary rendition is widely disliked across the political spectrum and could serve as a theme during anti-torture month. Have a ‘talk’ prepared to deliver to local service clubs. Resource: www.bushcrimescommission.com Legislative Opportunities: Local issues such as attempting to stop the use of a county airport to export detainees for torture (rendition) – A.I.has a database of photos to show which airports and carriers are doing it. Local efforts to create torture-free zones. H.R. 952 is the House anti-rendition bill; S. 654 is the Senate anti-rendition bill, which is more comprehensive than HR 952 – wide support and outrage (not just Democratic) is needed for the passage of this bill. Building long-term relationships with members of Congress and their staffs is essential. There is a need for legislation to prevent torture by state agents within US territory A claim of systematic police brutality in Chicago has been condemned by the UN, and a cleanup demanded. General Recommendations: Have monthly meetings minute their support of QUIT initiative and publicize this action George Rubin is a contact at Friend’s Journal Monthly Meetings sign on to NRCAT Give support to like-minded ecumenical groups and publicize, e.g., interfaith councils Ongoing committee responsibilities of legislators should be monitored – not exclusive to specific bills. Media/Strategy Working Group Goal: To break the silence. Methodology: The creation of a counter-story to dispute the official line of “We don’t torture except to keep you safe, so let’s change the subject.” Elements of a Counter-Story: A media campaign would involve 2-3 short points, repeated several times Don’t use “Torture doesn’t work”; it might not be sound reasoning. Torture is a moral outrage; a moral, not political issue Human rights are on the march. Restore freedom, end torture. End torture, affirm humanity. Torture is humans dehumanizing humans Quakers say torture is wrong. Torture is terrorism. If the regime in power (authority) now has the power to declare people outside the law, this undercuts the premise that we are a nation of laws. As this action is legitimized, i.e., the government ‘gets away with it,’ citizens are in a frightening position. No longer is ‘no one above the law.’ When legal restraints don’t apply to those in power, there is no protection for the common citizen. There is tyranny. Frame the issue of torture in terms of American mythology – torture is immoral and un-Christian; the American Way does not include torture. *Torture hurts people* – would redefine ‘the other’ and characterize its victims as people – not criminals The message of Jesus, “Whatever you do to the least of these…you do to me….” A “culture of life” rejects torture. Save democracy – stop torture. Obey the law – stop torture. Torture! The American Way?? Save democracy – stop torture. Support the troops, end torture (because what goes around comes around) Quakers need a religious narrative, e.g., “That of God” means no torture Don’t forget the torturers; Quakers see light in them as well. Questions to be prepared for: What about people’s children in the military? What if they torture? Many numbers suffer in war, etc. – Why are we so upset about the relatively few? Actions: Talk about what we will do next. June National Torture Awareness month June 26 Lobby Day – extraordinary rendition Quaker presence -- peace vigils; signs “Stop Torture;” July 4^th parades; literature on festival tables; speak to church groups Get message and testimony of torture victims into local media, including public and college radio Share writings on website, listserv Report on things done and in progress Talk with people you see everyday List all groups doing torture activities – cooperate don’t duplicate Show SOA film,” Hidden in Plain Sight” Get strong voices on radio – C. Fager’s interview with O’Reilly transcript at www.afriendlyletter.com tells how he prepared and stayed on message. Get the issue on ministers’ and others’ blogs. Listen to others. Prisons Working Group Activities: Continue communicating with each other as a group Educate ourselves regarding what AFSC and others have already learned Pick an area of torture we see manifested in one facility that we could impact over the next year –AND work on it. Share what we learn about global and national issues with our monthly meetings. Specific Initiatives: Offer to teach Spanish to officers/guards Identify what can be done to create more human childbirth environments Begin AVP Begin to understand specifics of what is going on at local County Jail, e.g., union issues, policies, etc. Attempt to understand issues of segregation – in terms of how units are constructed “People who are in prison,” is the preferred term vs. inmates or prisoner. Treatment Working Group Action Opportunities: · Develop a list of resources for people who want to help others and educate themselves further, and who may want to visit torture treatment centers, refugee resettlement agencies & explore ways to volunteer. · Research unmet needs in torture treatment centers (from the perspective of conflict resolution) · Visitation and therapy work (pro bono) in detention centers for those seeking asylum · Make contact with family centers on military bases to see what needs exist · Pursue the opportunity to support a special unit of the GI hotline to deal with veterans who call in with issues relating to the witnessing or involvement in torture Individual Action Opportunities: Connect with military families and/or reach out to local vets groups Talk to local POW groups about QUIT conference – suggest POW groups come out against torture Volunteer at local torture treatment center and bring it up within our communities of faith Work on ourselves regarding these issues Visit asylum seekers – offer AVP Try to go to Guantanamo (Humboldt MM) – and in the meantime, work in prisons to provide witness or relief. Awareness of those who work in domestic violence shelters of issues surrounding returning soldiers – lend support to them In working with individuals who may have experience of torture, e.g., ESL programs, remain sensitive to potential issues and make their experience as safe and welcoming as possible. Be aware of as many references that might be helpful as possible. Be aware of how to advocate for people who are arrested unjustly.