Take action: Prevent intimidation and violence at polling locations »

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Dear John,

In recent months, we’ve seen unprecedented political violence and unrest, record
sales of firearms, and a surge in white supremacist violence. Now, as we
approach Election Day in the U.S., we face another dangerous prospect: gun violence at the polls.

Combine that with the ongoing crisis of gun violence nationwide, and you can see
why Amnesty International just issued an urgent pre-election advisory* warning
about the potential for armed violence against voters as they head to the polls.

It is crucial that voters and poll workers can vote and work in safety. Send an urgent message to your governor right now: demand that
your state ban guns around polling locations.
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The widespread presence of guns at polling places — as well as armed groups
aiming to intimidate voters — is a grave threat to the rights of all people to
life, health, security, and the human right to participate in political
processes free from discrimination and violence. One senior administration official recently urged the public to “buy
ammunition” in the lead up to the election, after President Trump suggested
sending armed law enforcement to the polls.

John, we’ve been around the block when it comes to
advocating to end gun violence in the U.S. We address gun violence as a human rights crisis. In addition to our call to ban firearms at the polls, we’ve been a long-time
advocate for legal reforms on the acquisition, use and possession of firearms in
our country. My team and I, in coalition with several other major advocacy
organizations, support a wide range of measures to curb gun violence.

Amnesty International does not take a position on elections, nor do we take a
position on which candidate should be president. That is crucial to our
longstanding independence and ability to operate nationwide and globally.

But we MUST speak out — and speak out loudly — against the prospect of armed
intimidation and violence at the polls. We all have the human right to feel safe from gun violence, particularly when
exercising our right to participate in political processes.

Add your name: guns should be banned around polling stations.
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Our lawmakers need to know where we stand on this issue.

With just weeks from Election Day — and millions of people already early voting
— there is absolutely no time to waste.

Sincerely,

Jasmeet Sidhu
Senior Researcher, End Gun Violence Campaign
Amnesty International USA

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