Friday, November 22, 2013

Did you see this? FWD: A drone killed my grandmother

I got this from Amnesty International:

 http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=520366&msource=W1310EASHR2

Dear Tracy,

You've probably seen it on the news — from the New York Times to Buzzfeed to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, hundreds of media outlets are echoing our question: why would you kill a grandmother picking vegetables in her family's field? Where is justice for the grandchildren of Mamana Bibi?

Mamana Bibi's granddaughter, Nabeela, traveled 7,000 miles to Washington, DC yesterday to give her account of the drone attack — and according to the Washington Post, only 5 lawmakers bothered to show up. Despite the paltry attendance, she told the story again of being blown off her feet, of picking up the pieces of her grandmother's body.

I need you to dial up the pressure on the U.S. government. Demand answers for Mamana Bibi's death.

Reporters have also been peppering the Obama administration with questions about Amnesty's hard-hitting report — the White House promised earlier this week they are taking it "under review."

Don't let up. We're not stopping until no child lives every minute wondering, "Will I be next?"

Thank you,

Zeke

PS — Nabeela's story has struck a nerve — help us use this moment to build a movement that President Obama can't ignore. Act now to demand justice for Mamana Bibi's death.


"I wasn't scared of drones before, but now when they fly overhead I wonder, will I be next?" - Nabeela, granddaughter of US drone strike victim Mamana Bibi


Demand justice for Mamana Bibi.

Child who witnessed her grandmother killed by a US drone while picking vegetables for dinner
President Obama needs to own up to the death and suffering he has caused Mamana’s family and start telling the truth about US drone strikes.
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Dear Tracy,

A year ago, 8-year-old Nabeela ventured outside while her 68-year-old grandmother Mamana Bibi picked vegetables in their family's large, open field.

Moments later, this beloved grandmother was blasted to pieces by not one, but two US drone missiles apparently aimed directly at her. Nabeela and other nearby grandchildren were injured when the exploding missile lodged shrapnel in their bodies.

One year later, the US government has not even acknowledged Mamana's death.

Now Nabeela wonders whether she will be next. How would you feel if this happened to your family?

Force President Obama to come clean about Mamana's death and investigate this unlawful killing by a US drone.

No one is alleging Mamana did anything wrong. Her fatal "mistake" was living in North Waziristan, a region in Pakistan pummeled by US drone strikes.

Today, Amnesty International released a comprehensive report documenting dozens of killings and utter destruction caused by US drone strikes, including the unlawful killing of Mamana Bibi.

We interviewed 60 survivors and eyewitnesses, who describe a daily life of inescapable violence - death from above, and attacks on the ground by Pakistani forces, Taliban and Al-Qa-ida-linked groups.

Tomorrow, President Obama is meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif. Mamana Bibi's unlawful death should be the first item on their agenda.

Demand answers about Mamana's death by US drone strike.

In May of this year President Obama pledged to increase transparency about drone strikes. 5 months later, nothing has changed.

No new information about drone policy. No legal framework for when and why the US would use this deadly force. No acknowledgment of responsibility. No investigations into cases like Mamana's.

Drone strikes have destroyed families and fomented hate against the US.

Mamana's grandchildren deserve better than this. They deserve answers. They deserve justice.

Stand up for Mamana's grandchildren. It's time the US government answered for these killings.

Sincerely,

Zeke Johnson
Director, Security & Human Rights Program
Amnesty International USA

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