An all hands call

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, left, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, answers questions during an all hands call with soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud, South Korea, July 21, 2010. Mullen is in South Korea with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to particpate in counterpart talks underscoring the alliance between the two nations. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley 


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Upcoming vote: Stop sexual violence against Native women

A critical vote aiming to crack down on sexual violence against Native American and Alaska Native women could happen as early as tomorrow! Tell your Representative to support the human rights of Native American and Alaska Native women.

Dear Rector, We are hearing from our sources on Capitol Hill that a critical vote on the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) could happen as early as tomorrow! At the beginning of this month, the Senate voiced its support for addressing the horrific rates of sexual violence perpetrated against Native American and Alaska Native women – overwhelmingly voting in favor of the Act. Now this same piece of legislation will be voted on by the House and we need to guarantee its passage. Currently, Native women face a complex jurisdictional maze of federal, state and tribal laws that allows for crimes of rape and sexual violence to go unpunished and unabated. It has resulted in countless cases of rape and sexual violence falling through the cracks. Now it's up to us to convince at least two-thirds of House members that this cycle of impunity has got to stop.  Send an urgent email and ask your Representative to help stop violence against Native American and Alaska Native women. We're so close. This is the final step before President Obama can sign this bill into law. But first, we need you to speak up and tell your Representatives that this cycle of violence won’t end unless we take action now! Thanks for your support, Rachel, Cristina, Angie and the rest of the Stop Violence against Women team  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

Amphibious Ready Group

U.S. Sailors assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat during visit, board, search and seizure training in the Atlantic Ocean July 16, 2010. Carter Hall is part of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group, which is participating in a composite unit training exercise off the East Coast. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover, U.S. Navy/Released)

Use compasses

 Guatemalan marines use compasses to find predetermined points in a field during a U.S. Marine Corps subject matter expert exchange in Guatemala July 16, 2010, in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010. SPS is a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams, U.S. Navy/Released)

A low cost aerial delivery system

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Ryan Grubaugh and Josue Balbas move a low cost aerial delivery system (LCADS) bundle into the cargo compartment of a C-130J Hercules aircraft at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan July 16, 2010. The Airmen are both aerial porters deployed to the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and the aircraft is assigned to the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. LCADS bundles are designed to provide supplies to remote forward operating bases in a timely, safe and cost-efficient manner. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Chisholm, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Dismounted patrol in Qalat City

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clarence Washington, a squad leader with Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, provides security during a combined dismounted patrol in Qalat City, Afghanistan, July 18, 2010. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Closer to freedom. More fragile than ever

Filep Karma is closer than ever to being released from prison, but his health is deteriorating. We’re running out of time. Go the last mile for Filep and other human rights defenders with a gift to Amnesty International.

Dear Rector, We’re getting closer to securing the release of Filep Karma, and need your help to go the final mile. The good news is that fellow Indonesian prisoner of conscience Yusak Pakage was released from prison earlier this month.  Soon after his release, Yusak sent us a warm message of thanks and added: "[This message is] from someone who has suffered and who now smiles again thanks to Amnesty." The power of these words says it all. Yet as Yusak celebrates freedom, Filep suffers with urgent health problems in an abusive, squalid prison in West Papua. Indonesian authorities have delayed his travel to Jakarta for treatment. While we've made significant progress in gathering support for a Congressional resolution condemning Indonesia's imprisonment of peaceful political activists, more support is needed. Filep's freedom - and possibly his life - are on the line. Freedom for Filep! Fellow prisoner of conscience Yusak Pakage was released in July. Help us ensure that Filep Karma's freedom is soon to follow. Support our work and give hope to Filep and other prisoners of conscience in Indonesia.  We hear time and again from former prisoners of conscience how grateful they were to have Amnesty on their side. Your messages of hope buoy them through unimaginably grim circumstances. It's your financial support that makes this lifesaving work possible. Amnesty succeeds, and perseveres, because of your steadfast commitment to human rights. Let's keep the human rights victories coming. Make a gift to Amnesty International and support our life-saving human rights work. Sincerely, Michael O'Reilly Senior Campaign Director, Individuals at Risk Amnesty International USA

Please watch it:Prisoners of Conscience

Filep needs medical attention