WASHINGTON, DC
– Today, the National Religious Campaign
Against Torture (NRCAT) launched its Banners Across America initiative
in a telephone press conference describing the nationwide anti-torture
banner campaign taking place during the month of June. Hundreds of congregations
across the United States have joined this campaign in an effort to mobilize
the American faith community in opposition to U.S.-sponsored torture.
The “Banners Across America” initiative, organized by NRCAT,
is timed to allow local congregations to participate in a nationwide,
interfaith public witness during Torture Awareness Month.
To date, 298 congregations, located in
all 50 states and the District of Columbia, are participating in this
effort by displaying anti-torture banners during the month of June. Most
of the large, vinyl banners are black-and-white and have anti-torture
messages: “Torture is Wrong” and “Torture is a Moral
Issue.”
The Rev. Richard Killmer, NRCAT’s
Executive Director, opened the press conference. “We are thrilled
that almost 300 congregations have made a significant and courageous
witness in their community by displaying an anti-torture banner on the
exterior of their building. In a public way these congregations are
stating clearly that torture is always wrong – without any exceptions.
These powerful witnesses may hasten the day when we see the end of U.S.-sponsored
torture,” he said.
Linda Gustitus, NRCAT’s President
highlighted the following organizational goals:
- Stop the use of torture techniques
by the CIA. - Close secret prisons
- Stop rendition for torture
- Hold our government accountable
for what we have done. NRCAT has called for a Select Committee of Congress
to investigate all aspects of U.S. sponsored torture post 9/11.
“Torture is not a political issue,”
emphasized Ms. Gustitus. “Whether you’re for or against torture
shouldn’t depend upon whether you’re for or against the President, the
war or a particular party. Torture is a moral issue. It is immoral to
use torture, and it is immoral to condone it — affirmatively or silently. Torture
destroys the very soul of our nation and it must be stopped.”
Rev. Chris Grapentine, Pastor
of Northside Community Church in Ann Arbor, MI, described the successful
efforts in that city to engage a diverse group of congregations in this
public witness. The 13 participating groups include churches of several
denominations, a Jewish group, and a Buddhist temple.
“The banner will show our neighbors
that we stand against the inhumane treatment of all people, even our
enemies, because Jesus calls us to love our enemies,” said Rev,
Grapentine, whose congregation is an American Baptist Church.
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster of Rabbis
for Human Rights North America noted that 27 Jewish congregations across
the country are participating in the banner project, displaying a special
banner that features the message “Honor the Image of God: Stop
Torture Now.”
“The strong response of the Jewish
community to the banner project demonstrates that we believe that stopping
torture is a Jewish religious imperative,” stated Rabbi Kahn-Troster. “As
a community who has historically been a victim of torture and oppression,
we are compelled by our values to identify with the plight of the stranger
and work to ensure k’vod habriot, the dignity of every human
being. Torture denies that every person is created b’tzelem elohim,
in the image of God. The synagogues hanging the banner are sending a
message to our government that Jews regard torture as an affront to
their Jewish values.”
Participants on today’s
telephone press conference included:
Rev. Richard Killmer. Executive
Director, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Linda Gustitus, President, National
Religious Campaign Against Torture
John Humphries, Director for Program
Coordination, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of
Communications & Community Outreach, Islamic Society of North America
and NRCAT Board Member
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Director
of Education and Outreach, Rabbis for Human Rights North America
Rev. Chris Grapentine, Pastor,
Northside Community Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Follow this link to see a list of
participating congregations:
http://www.nrcat.org/storage
Follow this link to see a photo gallery
of more than 50 of the anti-torture banners in place:
http://www.flickr.com/photos
A recording of today’s press conference
is available on the NRCAT website.
[For specific details about the location(s)
of the banners and local contact information, please contact John Humphries
using the phone and e-mail information above.]
For more information
about the campaign
Click “Banners
Across America” at www.tortureisamoralissue.org
# # #
The National Religious Campaign Against
Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending
U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Since its formation in January 2006, more than 190 religious groups
have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Roman Catholic,
evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian, Quaker, Orthodox
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include
national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and
local congregations.
Website of NRCAT: (http://www.nrcat.org/index.php
Contact: Rev. Richard
Killmer (202) 547-1920; (207) 450-7242 cell
John Humphries (860) 216-7972
cell; jhumphries@nrcat.org
Follow this link to see
a list of participating congregations:
http://www.nrcat.org/storage
Follow this link to see
a photo gallery of more than 50 of the anti-torture banners in place: