Online activism: Opportunities to raise your voice
Demand accountability for human experimentation
Across the history of the medical profession, no maxim has been more important than that to "do no harm." A recent report by Physicians for Human Rights has revealed that, beyond merely participating in torture-which has long been decried throughout the medical profession, as well as by interfaith leaders from across the spectrum of faiths-psychologists and other medical professionals working with government officials also engaged in human experimentation.
Please stand with us to defend the rule of law today, by adding your voice to our letter to the attorney general.
Tell the Senate to restrain executive power
Soon, the US Senate will begin hearings to examine, and potentially confirm, the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. The nomination has raised concerns among some observers about whether the nominee will enforce appropriate limits on executive power, given that she has served in the Executive Branch under two administrations.
Without taking a position on the nomination itself, BORDC will encourage the Senate "to vigorously examine any nominee to the Supreme Court, with a particular eye towards establishing his or her willingness to check and balance the Executive Branch when necessary to protect constitutional rights." As we explain in our letter—which we invite you to sign—"As the 'war on terror' continues to fan the flames of public fear and encourage deference to authority, the need for judicial independence stands at a historical zenith."
Please raise your voice with us.
End racial profiling
Sign the Rights Working Group's petition calling on Attorney General Holder to strengthen the Department of Justice’s 2003 guidelines on racial profiling to include profiling based on religion and national origin; close loopholes that allow profiling at borders in the name of “national security”; ensure that the guidelines are enforceable and that law enforcement agencies are held accountable; and apply the guidelines to state and local law enforcement agencies working in cooperation with federal agencies or receiving federal money.
After you sign the petition, get active against racial profiling in your community. Start a campaign to pass BORDC’s model legislation. Our ordinance imposes limits on local law enforcement authorities and creates enforceable protections against domestic surveillance, immigration enforcement, and racial and religious profiling.
Sign Get FISA Right's open letter to President Obama
Add your name to this letter, organized by Get FISA Right, which calls on the President to fulfill his campaign promises by protecting civil liberties and increasing government transparency.
Demand ethics investigations for torture
While the Attorney General contemplates a limited investigation scapegoating junior officials who violated "approved" torture techniques, BORDC and allies (including the National Lawyers Guild and Velvet Revolution) are pursuing ethics complaints against former senior officials. Letters will soon be available for each state in which torture lawyers face formal complaints.
Demand a complete investigation of torture
Sign on to support a complete and thorough investigation of all government officials allegedly complicit in torture, and prosecution wherever the evidence merits. Add your name to our general letter or a letter addressing the unique perspective of a particular profession: legal professionals, educators, health professionals, or clergy and religious lay-leaders.