Chuck Schumer Won’t Speak Out Against Torturer Gina Haspel. Here are 8 Reasons Why You Should.

April 30, 2018

NEW YORK, NY — Gina Haspel, nominee for Director of the CIA, will have a confirmation hearing in the Senate on May 9. All senators, including Chuck Schumer, need to issue public statements now against Haspel, and Senate Democrats must commit to block her confirmation. Here are 8 reasons why:

1. We already know everything we need to about Haspel’s unfitness for leadership.

Haspel oversaw a secret detention site in Thailand and ordered evidence of torture there to be destroyed. That’s disqualifying.

2. We are not afraid.

Americans need to confront how we use threat of terrorism to justify bad policies. We can be vigilant in defending our country without letting fear lead to cruelty.

3. Torture must never be celebrated.

Our government sanctions acts of barbarism and uses euphemisms like “enhanced interrogation” to describe them. This changes how we think of our values as Americans, and as human beings. Torture is a practice to be punished, never celebrated.

4. The world is watching.

Human rights are being threatened globally. The United States must appoint leaders that set an example: torture should always be punished.

5. We must counter CIA disinformation.

The CIA is using social media to whitewash Haspel’s record. The openly political nature of this CIA campaign is disturbing. This is not the role that government agencies should take.

6. There’s more going on than the public knows.

The Senate and the American people deserve to know more about Haspel’s past. Senator Wyden, for example, has alluded to more concerns about Haspel than have been reported in the press.

7. We must confront authoritarianism at every turn.

Our president is a wannabe war criminal who has openly professed an admiration for torture.

8. Our leaders must respond to their constituents.

Senator Schumer should speak out now because you ask him to. Your voice will only be heard if you use it. Call him (or the senator in your state) at 855–980–2350, and ask her to make a public statement now condemning Gina Haspel.

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At Empire State Indivisible, we use the tactics of the Indivisible Guide to defend New York against the Trump administration, and those in our state government that enable its harmful policies. Our steadfast nature, together with our enterprising New York spirit, make our grassroots group one-of-a-kind.