Target: Roger Wicker, Chair of U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee
Goal: Condemn unneeded deployment of military forces on American soil.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and boots on the ground: thus began violent clashes between protesters and government officials in the streets of Bangladesh. Hundreds of individuals were killed and thousands more injured. This series of catastrophic events – which started with peaceful protests that quickly spiraled out of control following military involvement – should serve as a cautionary tale for the United States.
In response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the administration made an unprecedented move not seen since the Civil Rights Era. It federalized military forces against people living in America. But unlike previous times – when troops were deployed to protect protesters and civil rights advocates – this time the forces (the National Guard and, possibly, the Marines) were used to quell protests. A legal battle was ignited between the president and California’s governor, who accused the president of illegally weaponizing the military for political theater. When a California senator was later manhandled during a press conference after challenging the deployments, tensions escalated. These tensions put an ominous undertone to a recent threat from the president that any protesters of his military/birthday parade “will be met with very big force.”
Sign the petition below to urge a de-escalation of dangerous tactics creeping uncomfortably close to authoritarianism.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Wicker,
“His actions were illegal – both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” A U.S. district judge made this unequivocal ruling regarding the executive branch seizing control of a state’s national guard and deploying these troops onto the state’s streets. This escalation against protesters must end now, or the United States risks ending up like Bangladesh and any other number of authoritarian regimes — where the blood of ordinary people is spilled in the streets courtesy of government dictate. Not since the dark days of the Civil War have Americans killed and wounded Americans in the name of military armed service.
As the leader of the U.S. Committee for Armed Services, you must make your voice heard. Speak out against the dangerous weaponization of military forces and speak up for protecting the fundamental rights for which so many Americans have lived and died.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: spaceflattener Flickr
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