* On May 7, 7,790 signatures of North Carolinians opposed to Gina Haspel’s nomination for CIA Director will be delivered to Sen. Thom Tillis’ office in Raleigh at 9:00 am. The delegation delivering the signatures:
- Rev. Steve Hickle, United Methodist clergy (retired) – NC Conference; Immediate Past President, NC Council of Churches
- Sandy Irving, Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church; NC Council of Churches Program Associate
- Christina Cowger, Coordinator, NC Stop Torture Now
* Also on May 7, supporters of transparency and accountability for U.S. torture will attend the 6:00 pm meeting of the Johnston County Commissioners. At their March meeting, the Commissioners were asked to push for criminal investigation of torture-related flights emanating from their airport, and to adopt a policy prohibiting such flights. Today, concerned citizens are going back to learn their response.
* On May 4, Gina Haspel attempted to withdraw her nomination as CIA Director. President Trump pushed for her to remain, and she is still scheduled for a hearing on Wed., May 7, in the Intelligence Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Burr.
* Also on May 4, 7,790 signatures of North Carolinians opposed to Haspel’s nomination were delivered to Sen. Richard Burr. The petition was organized by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and most of the signers are people of faith. Meeting with Sen. Burr’s State Director, Dean Myers, in the Winston-Salem office to deliver the signatures were (pictured below ):
- Rev. Rob Jackson, Salem Presbytery representative to the NC Council of Churches Executive Board
- Christina Cowger, Coordinator of NC Stop Torture Now
- Emily Sprague, President of Church Women United of North Carolina
For more information: Christina Cowger, 919-637-7678