[act-ma] 4/19, Sat, Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs

[Amy Hendrickson]

The Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs: 19 April 2008



Information session & Film Screening: Unacceptable Harm

Monday, April 21, 6:30-7:30pm

Emerson 101, Harvard Yard

Sponsored by Harvard College Human Rights Advocates



Campaigners launch Global Day of Action to ban cluster bombs in support of first ever treaty 

http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/campaigners-launch-global-day-action-ban-cluster-bombs-support-first-eve





The Friends Committee on National Legislation,

http://fcnl.org/press/releases/cluster_april040308.htm
 
On Friday, April 4, tens of thousands of people in the United States and around the world will hold public events to raise awareness about the more than 70 countries contaminated with landmines, cluster bomb submunitions, and other unexploded ordnance. …  The actions Friday will also serve as the kick-off in the United States for a month of action in support of a ban on cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. A global treaty process to ban cluster munitions is expected to be completed during negotiations that will take place in Dublin, Ireland during May 19-30, 2008. The United States government has so far refused to participate. 


Congress Should Act on Cluster Bombs
The U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines is urging every member of Congress to cosponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S.594/H.R.1755) and to support adequate levels of assistance for demining and aid to victims of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. This law would prohibit the use of cluster munitions in civilian-populated areas. It would also ban use of cluster munitions with high “dud rates,” meaning they leave behind widely dispersed minefields of unexploded cluster bomb submunitions. All but a tiny fraction of existing U.S. cluster munitions would be banned under the legislation.
 
To increase support for this legislation, the USCBL has declared April a month of action on cluster munitions. More than 160 citizens from 40 states and the District of Columbia have answered the call and agreed to take action in their local communities. Actions range from a house party in Arvada, CO to a de-mining fundraiser in a local Thai restaurant in Iowa City, IA to a film showing and letter-writing in Philadelphia, PA. Activists are also getting the issue out into their congregations. More than 130 faith leaders in Pennsylvania sent a letter to Senator Arlen Specter, urging him to co-sponsor S.594. 


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