Global Day of Action TODAY!!!
Ban the Use and Export of U.S. Cluster Bombs
Call the U.S. Senate on TODAY (Monday, November 5)
Senate switchboard: 1-800-352-1897
Cluster bombs are indiscriminate killers that spew deadly shrapnel over large swathes of land at the time of use and leave behind fields of landmines after combat ends. As a result, over the last 40 years the vast majority - 98% - of cluster bomb casualties have been civilians.
More than 80 countries have agreed to negotiate a ban on these indiscriminate killers in 2008. The U.S. government is not one of the countries, arguing that the military's need for these weapons over-rides humanitarian concerns. However, these weapons are even a liability for the military, as the unexploded bomblets impede troop movement and have already killed U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
One of the American Task Force for Lebanon Legislative Council's (ATFL-LC) priorities is passage in the coming year of Senate Bill 594 and House Bill 1755, The Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Acts of 2007. ATFL-LC is participating in a national call-in day on Monday, November 5 to urge Senators to co-sponsor Senate Bill 594. This initiative takes place as part of a broader Global Day of Action on Cluster Bombs called by the worldwide Cluster Munitions Coalition to help propel the global cluster bomb treaty negotiations.
We invite you to take part. It's easy. There is toll-free number (1-800-352-1897), which will allow people to call the Capitol Switchboard for free. Two websites are set up to let people know the basics of calling (when, what, where, why, how). Please feel free to direct people to these sites and/or the phone number. The main website is: http://www.fcnl.org/landing/clusterbombcall.htm
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Following is additional information for the Monday, November 5 National Call in to Ban U.S. Cluster Bombs!
What?
National call-in day to the Senate, urging senators to cosponsor Senate Bill.594 (the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007). This legislation would substantially restrict both the use and export of cluster bombs by:
1) requiring that they not be used in areas where civilians are known to be present, and
2) requiring that they have a "dud rate" of less than 1% (meaning that they will leave behind fewer deadly submunitions on the ground after the combat ends).
Why?
Monday, November 5 is a Global Day of Action against cluster bombs. People all over the world are taking action to urge the banning of these indiscriminate killers. The call-in day is a chance to let our Senators know that there is strong public opposition to these inhumane weapons in the U.S. and strong support for Senate Bill 594.
When?
Make calls on Monday, November 5, any time. Regular business hours are better, as you will get to talk to a real person (instead of leaving a message). Calls on other days are also encouraged but the more we can concentrate on November 5, the better.
How?
Calls to the Senate can be made for free on (800) 352-1897. Callers will automatically be redirected to the Capitol Switchboard. They will need to ask for their Senator by name. Once directed to the office, ask for the Legislative Assistant who deals with military and national security issues. Urge them to become a co-sponsor of S.594 and to work for its passage in the coming year.
For more information on the call-in day, visit: http://www.fcnl.org/landing/clusterbombcall.htm