[Peace-discuss] Stop public money from going to torturers and military contractors

[Siobhan Kolar]

Want to start the push to get rid of Blackwater (here) and everywhere --
 
Call your Illinois representative to co-sponsor a bill to stop public money from going to Blackwater, and to stop police from being trained at BW.  
 
To find your rep,
http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx
 
Mary Shesgreen is counting calls, and taking responses - marysedrop at msn.com
 
We have until MARCH 14th to get 4 co-sponsors, to have a chance of moving it out of committee.  Then call or email Mary to let her know what your rep said.  www.noprivatearmies.org for more info.  
 
Help Stop Blackwater: Support HB5700Support Needed ForLimitations on Private Military Contractors Act
Rep. Julie Hamos has introduced a bill into the Illinois legislation that establishes as public policy that private military contractors should not receive state funding or support in Illinois. The bill sets 3 important limitations on their function and use:
1. No state funds may be used to contract with or purchase services from private military contractors for training of law enforcement or security Guards.
2. No military weapons or explosives may be used by private military contractors in Illinois except on secured U.S. military bases or regulated facilities.
3. No personnel trained by private military contractors may be used to patrol, guard, control, contain or arrest any Illinois resident.
We need your help to move this bill forward in the Illinois House. This legislation is key to getting Blackwater out of Illinois and to protecting Illinois citizens from the impact of other private military firms like Blackwater.
1. Please contact your local state representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor HB5700.
2. Contact Rep. Hamos’s office and let her know that you support this bill and that you will be contacting your local representative to do so as well.
3. Write letters to your local newspapers about this bill and do what you can to generate public discussion about this needed legislation.
In order to move this legislation forward we need to create enthusiasm for it and show that it has support state wide. If you care about the threat to democracy that private military/security companies like Blackwater pose this is your opportunity to act.
If you have questions or comments feel free to contact: Dan Kenney at dan at noprivatearmies.org.
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