Government

Whitehouse and Reed asked to vote to stop United States involvement in the War in Yemen

Peace activists visited the offices of United States Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, Rhode Island) and Jack Reed (Democrat, Rhode Island) to deliver a petition and a letter asking that both Senators to sign onto and vote for Senate Joint Resolution 54 (S.J.Res.54), which would “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that

Rhode Island News: Whitehouse and Reed asked to vote to stop United States involvement in the War in Yemen

November 26, 2018, 5:38 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

Peace activists visited the offices of United States Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, Rhode Island) and Jack Reed (Democrat, Rhode Island) to deliver a petition and a letter asking that both Senators to sign onto and vote for Senate Joint Resolution 54 (S.J.Res.54), which would “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.”

Back in March both Senators voted against a similar resolution, breaking with most Democrats in the Senate. As Channel 12/WLVI reporter Ted Nesi noted at the time:

“Reed and Whitehouse were among just 10 Democrats who voted against the Sanders resolution. They were also the only two New England senators to vote that way, as the other 10 – seven Democrats, two independents and one Republican – supported the measure.”

Now, say the organizers of the visits to the Senator’s offices, “Yemen is on the brink of what the United Nations has called potentially the worst humanitarian disaster in 100 years, with over 50,000 killed, young children starving to death and 14 million people at risk of famine.”

Outside Whitehouse’s office in downtown Providence, nearly 20 people gathered to hold signs and express their support for peace and their opposition to the war in Yemen. They represented peace groups such as No Endless War or Excessive Militarism, East Bay Citizens for Peace, Brown War Watch, Rhode Island Anti War Committee, Pax Christi, Sisters of Mercy, Our Revolution and Massachusetts Peace Action.

In the video below, organizer David Oppenheimer speaks with Whitehouse’s State Director George Carvalho. Carvalho noted that a lot has changed since the last vote, but could not say how Whitehouse was thinking of voting.

A similar trip to Reed’s office was much smaller, and no one but the receptionist would speak to those presenting the petition.

Similar events took place inside and outside the offices of Senators across the United States.


Here’s the online petition: TELL Reed and Whitehouse to END our Support of the Saudis!!!

See:

Protesters target Whitehouse over Yemen vote

Reed and Whitehouse fail to stand against Trump on Yemen

Protesters chide Jack Reed for excessive military spending

Protesters target the Rhode Island congressional delegation’s support for war


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