Christmas Cards for an Abu Ghraib Whistleblower

Please show your support for Sam Provance, someone who overcame his fear of the powerful and spoke the truth. From NJ Peace Action:

REQUEST FOR HOLIDAY CARDS TO BE SENT TO SAM PROVANCE

Just about a year ago Sam Provance, Former Staff Sergeant and U.S. Army Intelligence and Systems Administrator, spoke at a program organized by the NJ Peace Action Education Fund and others about the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib that he witnessed while stationed there, noting the effect the torture had on himself, the prisoners, and his fellow soldiers turned torturers. This presentation was made on December 9, 2006 several weeks after Sam appeared at NJ Peace Action's 49th Annual Soup Luncheon, together with former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern and Iraq Veteran Against the War, Geoffrey Millard. Sam's presentation at our Soup Luncheon and his subsequent testimony at our program on torture were both powerful statements against the practice of torture. His words have been in our thoughts every time we oppose the use of torture by the U.S. at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo or elsewhere.

One of the most poignant moments of the December 9, 2006 program was when Sam Provance spoke about his experience witnessing torture at Abu Ghraib. He spoke to the audience by phone. Just hearing Sam's voice made his talk all the more moving because the audience could hear the strong emotions behind his words, showing how much he was still shaken by what he witnessed at Abu Ghraib. He also described how little support he had received from his family or his community for speaking out against torture, and stated that the only support he received was from peace activists like those gathered for the program.

We at NJ Peace Action would like to continue our support of Sam during this holiday season. After last year's programs, we asked people to send holiday cards to Sam to let him know how much we supported his efforts. We would like to continue that tradition this year and ask those who heard Sam at the Soup Luncheon or last year's December 9th program to send him a holiday card or greeting -- but this time to make it more personal. Cards and greetings can be sent to the NJ Peace Action office at 673 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

This year we ask that your cards be more personal in nature because we think Sam really just needs to know that people are thinking about him and his readjustment to life in the United States.

Please make the envelope out to Sam's attention, and the office will forward all cards and greetings received to Sam. If possible, please send your card or greeting to arrive by Friday, December 14th so that we can send them to Sam in time for him to receive the greetings by Christmas. But if you're not able to send the card until later, we can send a second mailing to Sam early in the new year.

THANK YOU!!