By: Cynthia Papermaster
We had good successful rallies today at Senator Feinstein's and Padilla's offices in San Francisco to tell them to co-sponsor and vote for Senate Jt. Resolution 31 to disapprove the Pentagon's request for a $650 million weapons sale to the Saudis. You can find this resolution here.
About 15 people came out, including members of the Yemeni community, CODEPINK, DSA, United Against War and Militarism, Jewish Voice for Peace, Hands Off Yemen and others. We gathered at Feinstein's and Padilla's offices where we held brief rallies and were victorious in getting Feinstein's and Padilla's aides to come downstairs to receive our letters for them. Gratitude to Eleanor Levine for making signs to hold saying "NO $650 MILLION WEAPONS SALES TO Saudi Arabia" and for calling the DC Offices of Feinstein and Padilla and asking them to tell their SF offices to send someone downstairs to accept our letters to the Senators.
Feinstein aide Emily suggested that we make an appointment with Feinstein's staff, and we will get an appointment, but meanwhile, the vote on SJ Res 31 could happen today, Tuesday, 11/30. Therefore it's urgent that we act, so please call Feinstein and Padilla Tuesday morning.
There are now 5 Senate co-sponsors of S. Jt. Res. 31: Sanders, Lee, Paul, Wyden and Leahy. There was news today that Elizabeth Warren is joining as a co-sponsor.
Every Democratic Senator should vote for the resolution. This is our opportunity to find out if the Democrats are still willing to oppose financing and supporting the Saudi-led war on Yemen. The House and Senate passed a similar resolution but Trump vetoed it. Biden pledged to end financing of "offensive" weapons to the Saudis; he needs to reject this Pentagon proposal. There are 2 Republican co-sponsors of the Resolution, so if all Dems support it, the $650 million weapons sale will be blocked.
Please call. The people of Yemen don't deserve more U.S.-sponsored terror and punishment.
