Take Action to End Military Violence in the Delta
Posted by jinn on May 20th, 2009
Starting on May 13 several villages in the Niger Delta have been attacked by the Nigerian military under the guise of searching for militants. Hundreds are feared dead and villages are being destroyed every day. On May 20 we learned that several villages have been razed: Opuye, Okerenkoro, Kurutie and Oporoza, where the film Sweet Crude was filmed, was razed by the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Military. Through unspeakable heartbreak, the Sweet Crude crew and all who care about justice are continuing an all-out effort to get the U.S. government and international community to pay attention.
If you want to help, please send the below message or wording of your choosing to:
John Kerry, chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Or call the Committee Majority office at 202.224.4651
Or Senator Kerry at 202.224.2742.
If you know people of influence, please tell them what’s going on. They can contact leslye@sweetcrudemovie.com or sarah@JusticeInNigeriaNow.org.
You can also find resources at sweetcrudemovie.com and on the JINN site
PLEASE consider helping — these people have no one who would be listened to standing up for them. Thousands are huddled in the bush, injured and scared, many now with no homes to go back to.
SAMPLE TEXT TO JOHN KERRY:
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the attacks on civilians in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian military. It is reported that as many as 2,000 people were killed and as many as 30,000 are now displaced refugees.
I urge you and your fellow U.S. lawmakers to speak out immediately to stop the current bombardment and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its authorization. I ask that you call for:
- An immediate cease fire
- Safe access into the area for humanitarian organizations and journalists – to assure the safety of the refugees, medical treatment for the injured, and an accurate assessment of the conditions and casualties
- An investigation into the attacks
- Action to pave the way for legitimate, third-party-monitored talks