Support International Tribunal on Katrina
Greetings family, friends, neighbors and comrades!
Thank you all for supporting the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Your participation, along with delegations from nine countries, made the Tribunal a success. For the first time, the public—both in the US and the world—had the opportunity to hear a comprehensive account of the crimes committed against the people of New Orleans and the Gulf. And, for the first time, an esteemed panel of international jurists gave careful consideration to charges of crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide and other violations committed by the US government.
However, if we are to gain restitution, justice and the right of return for all those displaced and forcibly removed, a tremendous amount of work remains. Join us in spreading the word about the Tribunal demands and building a strong reconstruction movement grounded in human rights principles to win the right to return. Below are a few suggestions offered by Tribunal organizers—including the attached petition—to advance the reconstruction movement.
As Lybon Mabasa, Tribunal Convener from South Africa, advised as he closed the proceedings, "We adjourn the Tribunal for today, but even greater work lies ahead. Only by committing ourselves to this struggle will we save ourselves from sinking into barbarism."
In Unity and Struggle,
Kali Akuno
PHRF Executive Director
Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 Stay tuned to www.katrinatribunal.org for updates. Also, please send pictures for thorough documentation.
Thank you all for supporting the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Your participation, along with delegations from nine countries, made the Tribunal a success. For the first time, the public—both in the US and the world—had the opportunity to hear a comprehensive account of the crimes committed against the people of New Orleans and the Gulf. And, for the first time, an esteemed panel of international jurists gave careful consideration to charges of crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide and other violations committed by the US government.
However, if we are to gain restitution, justice and the right of return for all those displaced and forcibly removed, a tremendous amount of work remains. Join us in spreading the word about the Tribunal demands and building a strong reconstruction movement grounded in human rights principles to win the right to return. Below are a few suggestions offered by Tribunal organizers—including the attached petition—to advance the reconstruction movement.
As Lybon Mabasa, Tribunal Convener from South Africa, advised as he closed the proceedings, "We adjourn the Tribunal for today, but even greater work lies ahead. Only by committing ourselves to this struggle will we save ourselves from sinking into barbarism."
How to Support the International Tribunal
- 1. Build a Solidarity Committee in your city, region or state to continue the struggle for a just reconstruction and against ethnic cleansing in the Gulf Coast.
- 2. Join the PHRF action alert network at http://www.peopleshurricane.org/register/.
- 3. Conduct a report back about the Tribunal and the Gulf Coast Reconstruction Movement with your members and supporters. Call 504.301.0215 for speakers and video.
- 4. Organize a teach-in or community forum in your city, region, or state with members of the Tribunal organizing committee to aid with the national mobilization effort for the Tribunal and Survivors Assembly.
- 5. Agitate on the demands and recommendations stemming from the Tribunal by asking civic, labor, political, and religious organizations in your area to sign on as endorsers. The prosecution called for:
- Reparations
- Prosecution of Bush, Blanco, Barbour, Nagin, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Homeland Security for crimes against humanity
- International and national support for the right of return and reconstruction with justice and dignity
- 6. Support the Tribunal Petition Drive to demand the right of return, adherence to the IDP principles, and federal works project by asking your members and supporters to gather signatures in your area. Petitions are available at either www.katrinatribunal.org or www.peopleshurricane.org.
- 7. Contact the various government officials in your city, region, and state and demand that they support legislation that recognizes the IDP status of Hurricane Survivors, provides restitution for Hurricane Survivors, supports the Gulf Coast Civic Works project, and holds all parties responsible for crimes against humanity liable for their actions.
- 8. Support the calls for censures, boycotts, and direct action issued by the Tribunal organizers and Survivors Assembly to pressure the US government to accept the demands and recommendations of the Tribunal.
- 9. Support the International mobilization for the Tribunal by promoting its findings, verdict, and demands to your international contacts and allied organizations. Encourage them to start resolution initiatives, petition drives, and calls for international solidarity and action.
- 10. Demand that all Presidential candidates take a stand in support of the findings of the Tribunal, reparations, a just reconstruction, and the right of return for all Gulf Coast IDP's.
- 11. Raise funds to provide ongoing financial support to the Tribunal organizers to publish and distribute the findings, continuing raising awareness, and pursue national and international litigation.
In Unity and Struggle,
Kali Akuno
PHRF Executive Director
Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 Stay tuned to www.katrinatribunal.org for updates. Also, please send pictures for thorough documentation.
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