ACLU of GA
Dear ACLU of Georgia Supporter,
 
We have learned that a Georgia House resolution, HR 1400, introduced by Representative Tony Sellier and others, will be heard today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. by the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs; the hearing will be in Room 406 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building.
 
The resolution calls upon the U.S. Congress not to transfer Guantanamo detainees to the State of Georgia or anywhere in the United States; in effect, it is aimed at defeating attempts to close Guantanamo and therefore continuing the state of injustice for the men being held there indefinitely with no prospect for a fair trial or any semblance of due process .  
 
Please call members of the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs today (Thursday) morning before 11 a.m. to ask that they vote NO on HR 1400.  You can find a listing of the Committee members here
 
I have also listed below their names and phone numbers:
 
-Rep. John Yates, Chairman: 404.656.5126
-Rep Melvin Everson, Vice Chairman: 404.656.0188
-Rep. Tony Sellier, Secretary: 404.656.0254
-Rep. Stacy Abrams: 404.656.0224
-Rep. Mike Glanton: 404.656.0202
-Rep.  Tommy Smith: 404.656.5105
-Rep. Doug Collins: 404.656.0188
-Rep. Joe Heckstall: 404.656.0220
-Rep. Brian Thomas: 404.656.0325
-Rep. Burke Day: 404.656.5096
-Rep. Matt Ramsey: 404.651.7737
 
You can find the text of the resolution here. 
 
When calling, you may wish to emphasize these points :
 
It is dangerous for Congress to tie the president's hands on national security issues
Closing Guantanamo is a national security priority.  Attempts to restrict the president's ability to transfer or release a detainee jeopardizes that goal and needlessly imperils our national security.  Congressional micromanagement of prisoner transfers is an unprecedented infringement on the President's powers as Commander in Chief and on his authority to conduct foreign affairs.
 
It is wrong to prevent the transfer or release of detainees who are have been "cleared for release"
Of the detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay, approximately 110 have been "cleared for release" after an exhaustive review by the president's interagency Detainee Review Task Force.  It is wrong for Congress to prevent the transfer or release of detainees that our own defense and intelligence communities have found to pose no threat to national security.
Unlawful and unjustified detention is inconsistent with America's dedication to constitutional principles.  It diminishes respect for the U.S. and squanders our greatest strategic asset - the moral high ground.  Wholesale transfer restrictions would signal to the world that the U.S. imprisons admittedly innocent men, jeopardizing the confidence and cooperation of important allies in our counterterrorism program and emboldening our foes by vindicating their characterization of the United States as a lawless bully.
 
It is unconstitutional to prohibit the transfer or release of detainees who have won their habeas corpus petitions in federal court.
 
Proposals that purport to restrict or prohibit federal funds from being used to transfer detainees who have prevailed in their habeas corpus petitions constitute a de facto suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and therefore violate the Suspension Clause under Boumediene v. Bush.
 
Attempts to impede the court-ordered release of detainees undermine the "judicial Power" conferred by Article III of the Constitution and the role of an independent judiciary in our constitutional system of separated powers.
 
Thank you very much for your support!
 
Best Regards,
 
Azadeh N. Shahshahani
National Security/Immigrants' Rights Project Director
 
  
*  *  *  *  EVENT CALENDAR  *  *  *  *
 
 By The People
 
  
Wednesday, February 24, @ 900 a.m.
 
Room 307 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building
 Georgia State Capitol Complex
 
Building on six successful years of lobby days, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia (ACLU of GA) is again teaming up with other progressive organizations to help you meet and talk with your legislators.
 
Each week, we will provide you with the tools you need to hold lawmakers accountable on issues such as reproductive rights, free exercise of religion, immigrants' rights, and voting rights. We will provide training on how to communicate with legislators, update you on pending legislation, and explain why we care about these issues.  We will then walk over to the Capitol and meet with legislators on priority legislation.  
 
Your work is important to helping us understand legislators' concerns about the bills we support and oppose and how we can best plan to move forward on these issues.  We hope to see you every Wednesday!  Please also bring your friends!
 
For more information or to request an opportunity to join as a coalition partner,
 
Marlyn Tillman
Organizer/Lobbyist
American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia
1900 The Exchange
Suite 425
Atlanta, GA 30339
Tele: 404-983-6437
Fax: 770-303-0051
Email: [email protected]
URL: www.acluga.org
ACLU of Georgia