New York Says No: End U.S. Support for the War on Yemen
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY 5th District), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
For almost six years now, the United States has supported a coalition of Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, in a brutal blockade and bombing campaign on Yemen. This coalition has committed atrocities and war crimes, including the deliberate targeting of civilians. They have also systematically targeted civilian infrastructure over the course of the war, bombing schools, food distribution centers, and water treatment plants, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities. Combined with a land, sea, and air blockade of northern Yemen, this has created what the U.N. calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. has supplied the Saudis with critical material and logistical support throughout the war, such as bombs, targeting assistance, and midair refueling for their bombing runs. Many experts believe the coalition would not be able to continue its operations alone, and that ending U.S. support would effectively end the war.
There is bipartisan support in Washington for doing exactly this. Yet the Trump administration has been a major obstacle to peace in Yemen, blocking legislative efforts like the War Powers Resolution of 2019 (S.J.Res.7) and suppressing findings on the U.S. role in war crimes. With a new administration entering office, we finally have an opportunity to remove U.S. fuel from the flames of this five-year-long conflict.
Organized by:
Sponsored by
To:
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY 5th District), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
From:
[Your Name]
Representative Gregory Meeks has called for ending U.S. support for the war on Yemen in the past and cosponsored the Yemen War Powers Resolution (H.Con.Res.142) in 2018. As the newly appointed head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, we are asking Representative Meeks to take a leading role in ending all U.S. involvement in the conflict.
We ask that Representative Gregory Meeks, as the new Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee:
1. Release a statement on January 25, 2021, just days after the U.S. presidential inauguration and the day before Saudi Arabia’s 'Davos in the Desert’ Future Investment Initiative, in support of the Global Day of Action and the demands of the Global Day of Action.
2. Introduce, co-sponsor, or fast-track a new War Powers Resolution that ends U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition.
3. Introduce or fast-track legislation restoring and expanding humanitarian aid for the people of Yemen.
4. Meet with the Yemeni Alliance Committee and allies to further discuss how to end the war in Yemen.