Stand Down! End Human Rights Abuses by Military Contractors

if you are in the Washington DC area, come out to this event!:

A Panel Discussion on the Private Military Industry in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa

October 27, 2009, 6 pm

True Reformer Building: 1200 U Street, NW, Washington, DC

6pm: The Detainee Project photo exhibit by Chris Bartlett

6:30pm: Panel discussion begins

Despite grave human rights abuses at the hands of U.S. private military contractors in Iraq, the private military industry is currently expanding in unprecedented ways. Contractors far outnumber U.S. military in Afghanistan and peacekeeping and security operations throughout Africa have become a multi-billion dollar industry for these corporations.

Join the Center for Constitutional Rights for a panel discussion on the harmful and dangerous impact of privatized conflict on human rights, and the implications it has for future wars and conflicts. Learn about current efforts to secure corporate accountability and redress for the victims of human rights abuses, and find out how you can get involved. Photographer Chris Bartlett will also display The Detainee Project, an exhibit that features CCR clients who were allegedly tortured by contractors in Iraq.

Panelists:

Vince Warren, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights

Jeremy Scahill, Journalist and Author of Blackwater: Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army

Emira Woods, Co-Director of Foreign Policy in Focus

Representative Jan Schakowsky, Congressional Representative from the 9th District of Illinois

ALSO:

Protest the Mercenary Industry!

End War Profiteering!

Demonstrate on Tuesday, October 27 

from Noon to 2pm

in Farragut Square Park (1634 I St. NW)

As the mercenary industry gathers in DC for their annual summit, we will gather in Farragut Square Park to say NO! to mercenaries profiting off of wars and the suffering of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.

U.S. Corporations are making billions off of conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout Africa.  On October 27, activists and supporters of human rights, peace and justice, sustainable development, and true human security will be speaking out about abuses by private military contractors in these regions, poets and musicians will help us make some noise, and we will shine the spotlight on the mercenaries’ meeting in DC during a critical time for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and other Africa nations.

Come out in support of peace and justice!