On May 17th, 2002, the US Treasury office in charge of sanctions sent a letter to Bert Sacks, a retired engineer from Seattle WA, imposing a $10,000 fine on him for his admission that he brought medicines to Iraq in 1997 without a US license. Working with Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation, and several local faith based and community organizations, Bert has organized, led or assisted with successive delegations to Iraq, and helped Voices in the Wilderness campaign actions seeking to end economic sanctions against Iraq.
On June 17th, Bert Sacks, accompanied by representatives of Voices in the Wilderness, the American Friends Service Committee, and other individuals and groups campaigning to end economic sanctions against Iraq, will hold a Press Conference in Washington, DC. Bert will explain why he cannot ask for a government license -- why he will not pay the fine -- and why, instead, he and the Voices in the Wilderness campaign will immediately begin raising a sum of $10,000 to purchase and deliver desperately needed medicines to pediatric wards and clinics in Iraq.
We are seeking 1000 people committed to ending economic sanctions against Iraq and preventing a new war to each contribute $10 or more to help raise $10,000 dollars that will be directed toward humanitarian and peacemaking efforts in Iraq as an alternative to paying penalties to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Checks can be made payable to Voices in the Wilderness,
1460 W. Carmen Ave,
Chicago, IL 60640.Any amount you send is significant! Please designate your check for this purpose by writing "Declaration 2002" in the memo section or by sending an accompanying note.
Your donation -- unless you ask for it to be anonymous -- will add your name to the growing list of those who have brought or sent medicines to Iraq without requesting government approval to do so.
The spirit of nonviolence is the spirit of satyagraha, Gandhi's truth force. It is our work to make the truth of US sanctions policy on Iraq clear to Americans. Thank you for sharing in this work. For information about additional actions you can take, please consult the Voices in the Wilderness website at http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw
Posted on June 11, 2002.