Lobby
to Prevent Reinstatement of the Draft
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Theodore Sitther
(202) 483-2220
tsitther@nisbco.org
May 14th, 2004
Washington, DC March
3, 2004 – People of conscience speak out
to make their voices heard in the halls of Congress against the reinstatement
of the military draft. On May 14th, 2004 the Center on Conscience & War
(CCW) and other organizations are holding a national lobby day against
the military draft. Participants will meet in the Methodist Building
in Washington, and others will lobby locally at their Congress members’ district
office.
Sponsoring organizations include: National Campaign
for a Peace Tax Fund, Veterans for Peace, Mennonite Central Committee-Washington
Office, Church of the Brethren, United Methodist Church General Board
of Church and Society, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations,
Pax Christi USA, and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.
Certain signs point in the direction of a military
draft. Rumors from Congress state that the Administration
is polling Republican members on the possibility of a draft. U.S. Troops
are stretched
thin across the globe with commitments in over two
hundred countries. Many National Guard and Reserve units are being used
for tours in Iraq
and Afghanistan, and with the continual rise in casualties;
many are saying that they will not reenlist. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY),
who introduced
a conscription bill in order to make the Armed Services
equitable, has revived his push for this bill. In the wake of another “national
emergency” (i.e. an invasion of another country) there will be
more serious calls for the draft. J.E. McNeil, Executive Director of
CCW said, “Due to the lack of knowledge of many young congressional
staffers, we need to educate Congress about conscientious objection and
how a draft is never a viable option.” May 14th will be a day for
voters to speak up and educate Congress about issues
of conscience and put forth a strong voice against the draft.
About the Center on Conscience & War: The Center on Conscience & War
(CCW), formerly the National Interreligious Service
Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO), was formed in 1940 by an
association of religious
bodies. CCW works to defend and extend the rights of
conscientious objectors. The Center is committed to supporting all those
who question participation
in war, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents,
documented or undocumented immigrants--or citizens in other countries.
CCW, located in Washington, DC, is governed by a Board of Directors and employs
a staff to serve the Center's national constituency. Services are provided
to the public at no charge. CCW participates in the G.I. Rights Hotline, a
national referral and counseling service for military personnel. In the event
of a military draft, CCW will assist in the placement of conscientious objectors
in alternative service programs. The Center is opposed to all forms of conscription.
Contact:
Contact Person: Theodore Sitther
Organization:
Center on Conscience & War
1830 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009
Telephone Number: (202) 483-2220 or (800) 379-2679
Fax Number: (202) 483-1246
E-mail Address: tsitther@nisbco.org
Website: www.nisbco.org