Call Congress from Congress Square Park!
Feb. 14.: #LoveToAfghanistan, #UnfreezeAfghanFunds, #EndAfghanSanctions
Vigils are happening across the US.
When the United States military pulled out of Afghanistan, the Biden administration responded by choking off assets to Afghan banks and economy by freezing the reserves of the Afghan Central Bank held in the U.S, by imposing sanctions on those doing business with Afghanistan, and by cutting aid. Jobs and income disappeared, people could not afford to buy food and mass starvation is now imminent. (Depreciation of Afghan $ and inflation are worsening.)
With that background, Peace Action Maine will hold a Valentine's Day Vigil to End Afghan Famine at Congress Square Park in Portland from 12:00-12:30 PM on Monday, February 14. The vigil calls for increased aid to Afghanistan, to lift sanctions and unfreeze assets that humanitarian groups say are driving the crisis. A limited number of posters will be available to attendees.
Several peace organizations, including Peace Action, Code Pink, World Beyond War, and Afghans for a Better Tomorrow, have designated this as a national day of action on Afghanistan: “Love to Afghanistan,” "Biden's time to lift sanctions and unfreeze Afghan assets, stabilize the economy and end the famine. Don't turn our backs on mass starvation, caused by the U.S!We mobilize to change these harmful policies with actions: (to be shared during Vigil and here soon!)
On Feb 3, Rep. Pingree voted Yea to an amendment(PA strongly supported) about Afghanistan and the US asset freezes driving the humanitarian crisis. Rep. Golden voted Nay.
On Monday February 14th @ 7: How U.S. Sanctions Starve Afghans--and How Can We Move From a Place of Love to End this Continuing War, with Phyllis Bennis and Kathy Kelly. REGISTER HERE.