Women Around the World Need Sen. Menendez’s Help TOMORROW!

There is going to be a very important Senate committee meeting tomorrow at 2:15 on the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). Amnesty wants to make sure that this important legislation is not changed in any way that would water down its effectiveness or hinder its passage. Senator Menendez is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a cosponsor of the bill. We have heard, however, that he may have a scheduling conflict. Women around the world need him to help protect and advance this important piece of legislation. Please call his DC office at 202-224- 4744 and urge him to be there!

Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator, AIUSA

Sires Cosponsors Immigrant Detention Reform

Great news! Congressman Albio Sires (NJ13) joined fellow NJ Representatives Holt, Payne and Rothman in supporting the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act, HR1215. This legislation addresses the most serious flaws identified in Amnesty’s Jailed Without Justice Report:
• Extreme over reliance on detention without considering effective and less expensive alternatives.
• Lack of due process allowing those imprisoned to challenge the grounds of their detention.
• Inhumane prison conditions for those who are detained.

If your Congressman is not on the list above, please call his office and urge him to cosponsor this important bill.

Amnesty is also supporting two of Senator Robert Menendez’s bills that address these issues, S 1549 and S 1550. Wherever you live in NJ, please call Senator Lautenberg’s office and urge him to support these bills!

Amnesty is currently organizing a lobbying week (the week of November 11th) across the country to support this legislation. We are also going to be focusing on closing Guantanamo and supporting the ratification of a women’s rights treaty (CEDAW). Please go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/list.php to find out more!