California

Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture

Los Angeles Region Religious Campaign Against Torture

Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture

BARCAT welcomes all people of faith in the San Francisco-Berkeley area to join us.  We are working to raise awareness about US-sponsored torture and provide individuals and congregations with ways to participate in ending torture forever.  We have a speakers bureau, and we work closely with the NRCAT agenda, as well as on anti-torture projects chosen by our members.

Contact: Louise Specht
louisespecht {at} gmail.com
Website: http://barcat.org/

  • During the summer of 2009, BARCAT sent delegations to all 12 Congressional offices in the Bay Area, including the San Francisco office of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House.  We asked them to support formation of a House Select Committee to investigate the torture program.  This organizing work extended the reach of BARCAT all around the Bay, producing a huge leap of membership and potential activism.
  • BARCAT's speakers bureau members are available to speak on "Torture, Popular Culture, and the Truth".  It includes showing the 14-minute DVD by Human Rights First, "Primetime Torture" and refutes the "utility" argument for torture.  If you would like to arrange a presentation for your congregation, contact louisespecht@gmail.com.  If you are interested in putting together a presentation like this yourself, Louise will send complete information.
  • June 26-27, 2009: “Torture is a Moral Issue” conference organized by the Santa Clara County Council of Churches and co-sponsored by BARCAT and NRCAT.  Several of the presentations are now available as videos that can be downloaded or viewed on YouTube here.  A DVD growing out of the conference will soon be available here.
     
Los Angeles Region Religious Campaign Against Torture

LARRCAT is a network in the greater Los Angeles, CA, area that educates individuals and communities of faith and conscience about the work of NRCAT and mobilize support for its agenda.  Contact us to request a speaker, to learn more about actions individuals can take, or to become more actively involved in the work of LARRCAT.

Contact: Virginia Classick
vclassick@pcu-la.org
 818-225-0410

Of special interest:

  • Confronting U.S.-Sponsored Torture, a presentation by Jameel Jaffer, irector of the ACLU National Security Project.

    • Sunday, Nov 15
    • 2:30-4:30pm
    • Islamic Institute of Orange County
    • 1220 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806

    Los Angeles Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (LARRCAT) is partnering with Progressive Christians Uniting and the Islamic Shura Council to sponsor a presentation by ACLU Attorney Jameel Jaffer on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2:30-4:30 PM.  Jameel Jaffer is Director of the ACLU National Security Project that litigated the release of the Torture Memos, and co-author of Administration of Torture.  This event will be held at the Islamic Institute of Orange County, 1220 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806.  RSVP's are encouraged.  info@shuracouncil.org or 714-239-6473.  There is no charge to attend this event. Download a flyer for the event.

  • The Intersection of Islamophobia and Torture, October 25th, 3:00-5:00 PM, at St. John’s Cathedral, 514 W. Adams. Click here for more information.
  • On June 28, 2009, David Gushee presented a paper, "Evangelical Religious Faith, Torture, and Our National Soul," at the Rector's Forum at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA. Click here to view the full presentation.
  • This article describes religious anti-torture activism in the LA region. 
  • LARRCAT summer 2009 congressional office visits featured in Muslim Public Affairs Council newsletter.