June 26th, a Public Witness & Interfaith Service

MNYRCAT marked the U.N. International Day for the Survivors and Victims of Torture with a public witness at Union Square that was followed by a procession to the Friends Meeting House  for our Interfaith Service of Prayer.  At our public witness, we collected signatures on petitions calling for a Commission of Inquiry to ensure U.S.-sponsored torture never happens.

 2.30 p.m. Public Witness at the Gandhi Statue at Union Square

3.30 – 4.30 p.m. Interfaith Service at the 15^th Street Friends Meeting House 
                   (15 Rutherford Place, East 15^th between 2^nd & 3^rd Ave.)

Click here for a flyer of the event.  For more information on June 26th service, contact Rev. Mark C. Hallinan, S.J. at hallinan[at]nysj.org or 212-774-5500.

For ideas on what you or your group can do to support a Commission of Inquiry or mark Torture Awareness Month (June), click here for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

 

Click here for reflections of a torture survivor on Torture: Is It Possible to Forgive?

Click here for excerpts of remarks by Sarah Sayeed, The Interfaith Center of NY

Click here for a post on YouTube of the procession & service.

Click here for pics.

 

Prayer Service on the Anniversary of the Arrival of the First Detainees at Guantanamo 

January 11th, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Church (40 East 35th Street)

Please join us for this event as we pray together that our new President will act swiftly to declare an end to U.S. involvement in torture.

 

If you, your congregation or group would like to endorse Declaration of Principles for an Executive Order Banning Torture, go to:

 

Endorse the Declaration as an Institution

 

Endorse the Declaration

Click here for a flyer of the event. For more information on Jan. 11th service, contact Rev. Mark C. Hallinan, S.J. at hallinan[at]nysj.org or 212-774-5500.

How You Can Help End U.S. Torture Policies

• Learn more about the National Religious Campaign at NRCAT

• Join thousands of people of faith across the nation and sign the Statement of Conscience to oppose torture and uphold American values.

• Befriend a prisoner in Guantanamo (see short guide for more info)

• Express a public witness against torture in a: sermon, prayer in worship, a vigil, banner, etc.  Or invite a speaker from a religious group, the Bellevue/NYU Survivor’s of Torture, or human rights group to discuss the issue with your congregation. If you would like help organizing anything with your congregation, please contact us.

• Educate your congregation using study material for faith groups (includes video suggestions & print material) (Study Material for Faith Groups)