Month: July 2007

From FreetheSlaves.net:

Many of our supporters have told us that they would really like to help out when there is something specific they can do. This week is one of those times. A 3-minute phone call from you today can make an incredible difference for the anti-slavery movement. This week the US Congress is considering groundbreaking legislation, and I’m writing to ask for your assistance. Would you join us in phoning our Representatives to request their support?
Free the Slaves and others have helped write legislation that would form a year-long Commission on the Abolition of Modern Slavery. The Commission would take a close look at how the US government can enhance its anti-slavery efforts, be a global leader in the fight against slavery and make clear recommendations for improvement. It is a non-controversial project that will yield concrete results for very little money.
The bill has both Republican and Democratic support. Both parties recognize this as an historic opportunity to focus the US government on ending slavery for good.
But if Members of Congress do not hear from voters—their constituents—they will not act.
Now is the time to show your commitment to fighting slavery. Call your Congressional Representative and challenge them to show a similar commitment by co-sponsoring the Commission bill, HR 2522. When people like you from across the country are calling with the same message, Congress will pay attention.
These three minutes on the phone will make an actual difference in the fight to end slavery. We know your time is valuable and appreciate you taking the time to make this call.
Calling your Representative’s office is quick and easy, even if you’ve never done it before (see below)!
Sincerely,
Jolene Smith
Executive Director
Free the Slaves

You can find your Representative and their phone number on the House website. (There you’ll select your state, type in your zip code and the correct info will appear.)

Sample script for your phone call to your Representative, for you to personalize as you wish:

“I am a constituent calling about the bill to create a congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern Slavery. I would like Representative to co-sponsor this bill, HR 2522. There are more people in slavery today than at any other time in human history—27 million by conservative estimate. I believe that the US should take a firm stand against slavery and that our government should fight it in the most effective way possible. This Commission would be an important first step. Ending slavery is a non-partisan issue. We can all agree that slavery must end. I would like to see Representative take a leadership position by co-sponsoring this bill.”

If the staff at your Representative’s office have further questions about the bill, you can tell them that they are welcome to call:
Meg Roggensack at Free the Slaves, 202-638-1865
Edan Lichtenstein at Rep. John Lewis’ office, 202-225-3801

As Free the Slaves’ supporters are phoning their Representatives, our Policy Director Meg Roggensack and I will be following up with in-person meetings on Capitol Hill, so we would love to hear about how your phone calls go. It helps us strategize. You can reach Meg at 1-866-324-FREE or roggensack@freetheslaves.net.

To read the text of the bill, see our website. Please let us know if you have any questions!