Solitary Confinement Hearing June 19th

TORTURE IS A MORAL ISSUE   Dear Friends, Exciting news! The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights will hold the first-ever Congressional hearing on solitary confinement on Tuesday, June 19th at 10:00 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226. This is a unique and meaningful opportunity. A well-attended hearing would show strong support for ending prolonged solitary confinement in U.S. prisons, so please come on the 19th, even if only for a short period of time. Please tell us if you are able to join us at the hearing by using this form. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is also calling for a nationwide 23 hour fast beginning the day before the hearing. This fast symbolizes the 23 hours per day prisoners spend in solitary confinement cells. Sign up here to join people of faith fasting across the nation from.... Those who attend the hearing are invited to attend NRCAT’s press conference (location to be determined) at 11:30 a.m., immediately after the hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.  Participants who have been fasting will break their fast in support of legislation to limit solitary confinement.  You can check for updated information about the hearing, fast, and press conference here. As we have seen in recent prisoner hunger strikes in Virginia and California, refusing food is one of the few means prisoners across the country have to protest their conditions in solitary confinement. Praying and fasting will provide a powerful testimony that people of faith care deeply about limiting the use of solitary confinement. Thank you in advance for your participation in this incredible opportunity to shine a light in some of our nation’s darkest places. Best, Linda Gustitus, President Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director LINKS: Sign-Up Form: www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKQG2D5 Sample Tweet: Plz join me 4 the “23 Hour Fast to End 23 Hour Solitary” starting June 18 1pm. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5ZA2OfJt... #23HourFast via @NRCATtweets FaceBook page to share: www.facebook.com/events/406272916089904 Prayer for use during the fast: www.nrcat.org/23_hour_fast_prayer