Every week we put our faith into action and this week we are responding to the outrageous use of federal officers in Portland, Oregon against what are for the most part peaceful protesters.
Operating without identification as to who they are and what agencies they represent they are detaining people without identifying themselves or even informing them as to why they are being detained — actions that are an attack on our democracy and the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. We have participated in many actions over the last three and a half years opposing abuses of power by this administration, but sending secret police to American cities is a terrifying new step.
Please click on the link below and sign the petition to Congress supporting the Merkley-Wyden amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
Donald Trump just vowed to send his secret police to cities across America after they have violated basic constitutional rights by grabbing and attacking protesters in Portland, Oregon. This is a major threat to our democracy and our human rights. We urge you to use every power you have to stop Trump and dismantle these paramilitary forces — including bringing to a vote and supporting the Merkley-Wyden amendment to the NDAA this week.
Specifically, the legislation would:
- Require individual and agency identification on uniforms of officers and prevent unmarked vehicles from being used in arrests.
- Limit federal agents’ crowd control activities to federal property and its immediate vicinity, unless their presence is specifically requested by both the mayor and governor.
- Require disclosure on an agency website within 24 hours of deployments specifying the number of personnel and purposes of deployment.
- Make arrests in violation of these rules unlawful.
Sign the petition here: Tell Congress to stop authoritarian policing
