(please forward widely) UNAC Statement The Military Coup and Massacres in Egypt During the transition from the toppled Mubarak regime and Mohamed Morsi’s inauguration, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) military leadership imposed an undemocratic constitution on Egypt that did not allow for censuring or removing a president whom the majority of people wanted replaced Following the election of Morsi, hopes were high that post-Mubarak Egypt would establish democracy and lift the economy. After a disastrous year in office, millions were angered and they turned out on June 30 demanding Morsi’s resignation. The SCAF seized the opportunity to initiate a coup and arrested Morsi. They are running Egypt despite the appointment of a president and prime minister. It is General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who makes the proclamations and has the power. In early July, the SCAF massacred over 50 protesting members of the Muslim Brotherhood during their sit-in. General al-Sisi then called for massive demonstrations to support his initiation of a war on terror, a war on the Muslim Brotherhood, a bloody campaign of repression, and a return to the Mubarak era status quo. On July 27, scores of Islamist protestors were killed by government security men. On July 29, the interim prime minister was given the power to place the country in a state of emergency and to initiate a crackdown on not just “terrorists” but religious and secular activism of all kinds. In addition, the interior ministry announced the resurrection of several police units responsible for some of the most egregious human rights violations including secret detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings. While taking no political position on the Muslim Brotherhood, we condemn the killings by the military regime of Muslim Brotherhood supporters and the pre-emptive arrests of their leaders. We oppose the crackdown on protests and dissidents. We oppose the scapegoating of Palestinians, the destroying of the tunnels to Gaza, and the closing down of the border crossing at Rafah. The SCAF represents the same powers that have controlled Egypt and repressed its people for decades with a military trained by and beholden to the Pentagon. We do not believe that a military government will bring democracy or act in the economic, political and social interests of Egyptians suffering from severe austerity measures. Anticipating from past actions, the repressive force now directed against the Brotherhood will be turned on trade unions and other popular movements and organizations. UNAC opposes all U.S. aid to military dictatorships and repressive regimes in Egypt, Israel, Bahrain, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. We call for the immediate end of shipments of weapons and crowd control equipment to Egypt and an end to the U.S. government’s annual $1.3 billion in military aid to the Egyptian military. 8/9/13 Lynne Stewart Needs Our Help 8/9/13 Compassionate Release Denied BUT ALL Is Not Lost. ACT NOW! Dear Friends of Lynne Stewart, Today, Judge John Koeltl DENIED Lynne Stewart's petition for compassionate release. But he left the door open for another decision. Citing the "law" that requires the Bureau of Prisons to first make a recommendation to the Judge for Compassionate Release Koeltl wrote: "The petitioner has appropriately submitted a renewed motion for compassionate release to the BOP, and the court is prepared to give prompt and sympathetic consideration to any motion by the BOP that seeks compassionate release. But the current application seeking to circumvent a motion by the BOP is without merit and is DENIED." Koeltl is fully aware of Lynne's dire medical situation. Her attorneys have submitted statements by prison doctors stating that Lynne has less than 18 months to live. Other submissions by independent doctors have estimated Lynne's prognosis at six months! Koeltl has all this information before him. His decision appears to signal to the BOP that he is prepared to grant compassionate release in accord with the law and with Lynne's medical condition. The focus must now shift to a massive campaign to press the BOP as well as Attorney General Eric Holder and President Omama to meet their legal responsibilities and recommend compassionate release now. Lynne's new petition is now before the BOP. Contact the BOP now as follows. In solidarity, Jeff Mackler, West Coast Coordinator, Lynne Stewart Defense Committee Ralph Poynter states it all: The struggle for every second of Lynne's life continues with full force. Lynne is urging all her supporters and defenders of human and democratic rights everywhere to vigorously renew their letters to BOP director. Write to him or call as follows: Mr. Charles E. Samuels, Jr., Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 Re: Lynne Stewart, #53504-054 Compassionate Release ~ or CALL: 202-307-3250/202-307-3062 http://lynnestewart.org/ KEEP THE PRESSURE ON: Lynne has filed a SECOND request for Compassionate Release, so please continue to get signatures on the petition at http://lynnestewart.org/ WATCH today's Democracy Now segment with Ralph Poynter speaking on Lynne Stewart: http://www.democracynow.org/2013/8/8/i_do_not_want_to_die Amy Goodman will give a brief update on the case tomorrow, Friday Aug 9 on DN. All Out for August 24 and 28 Saturday, August 24, 2013. Rally at the Lincoln Memorial at 8 am and march to the King Memorial. UNAC has endorsed the events around the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King gave his historic, “I have a dream speech.” Martin Luther King understood the connection between civil rights and peace and came out strongly against the Vietnam War. Please join UNAC at this march. We will send out more details where UNAC supporters and peace activists can meet. For more information: http://nationalactionnetwork.net/ August 28 The actual anniversary of the historic march is Wednesday, August 28. On that day rallies will be organized around the country. UNAC has endorsed these actions. Please plan to join one of the rallies being planned or plan one in your area. These actions are being called around the demands of : STOP THE WAR ON YOUTH OF COLOR JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON MARTIN –JAIL ZIMMERMAN! OVERTURN ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ LAWS! JOBS& EDUCATION NOT MASS INCARCERATION! END RACIAL PROFILING OF ALL FORMS! STOP RACIST POLICE TERROR INCLUDING STOP-AND-FRISK! IMMIGRANT RIGHTS NOW STOP DEPORTATIONS! A LIVING WAGE AND UNION RIGHTS FOR LOW-WAGE AND ALL WORKERS! For more information: http://peoplespowerassemblies.org/aug-28-mobilization/ click here to donate to UNAC Click here for the Facebook UNAC group. To remove yourself from the UNAC listserv, please send an email to: UNAC-unsubscribe@lists.riseup.net To add yourself to the UNAC listserv, please send an email to: UNAC-subscribe@lists.riseup.net