September 5: Ending US-Sponsored Torture Forever

“Successes and Challenges: What are the Next Steps?” 7-9 pm at University Temple Methodist Church (1415 NE 43rd St, Seattle). Rich Killmer Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) & Rob Crawford, co-founder of WSRCAT.

Sponsored by Washington Religious Campaign Against Torture (WSRCAT), NRCAT, University Temple Methodist Church, WWFOR, UW Center for Human Rights, Amnesty International, and others.

• The use of torture is still a live issue in the United States.
• There are those who still publicly defend it.
• It is widely assumed that it is still used under U.S. jurisdiction outside the United States.
• Those who illegally approved and promoted torture still have not been held accountable.

The public needs to:

• Continue to opposed & condemn torture
• Hold accountable those who perpetuated torture
• Ban torture forever.

U.S. Government authorization and practice of torture in the post-9/11 era is now a well-known fact. Even though the Obama Administration has rejected that authorization, we are not out of the “dark side” yet. So-called “enhanced interrogation” continues to be defended and advocated by influential voices as a necessary technique of war. Those who authorized and committed torture have not been held accountable. Nor has there been an official commission of inquiry. This event will offer two perspectives on what the public can expect the future to hold, the continuing challenges we face in the anti-torture movement, and how we might most effectively confront these challenges.

RECEPTION FOR REV. RICHARD KILLMER, with light food and non-alcoholic beverages, will be held at 5:45 at the Cafe in the basement of the church.

NRCAT has been at the forefront of opposition to torture since its founding In 2006. Shortly thereafter WSRCAT became the Washington State affiliate of the national organization. We are especially pleased to have Rev. Killmer join us for this program. From his position as the Executive Director of NRCAT, he has been intimately involved in the anti-torture
campaign on the national level and will speak about NRCAT’s initiatives in Washington, D.C. Rob Crawford’s years of leadership at WSRCAT and his teaching and research have shaped his perspective about the obstacles and possibilities of anti-torture politics.

If you have questions, call or email Tom Ewell, tewell@whidbey.com, and 360-341-1457.