Dear John,

As tens of thousands of migrants flee from war, poverty, and violence, General Dynamics is profiting from migrant private prisons. The sixth-largest weapons manufacturer has taken a government contract to provide “social services” to migrant children held at U.S. detention camps. General Dynamics is well-known for profiting from wars and global conflicts through its billion-dollar arms sales. You might not know, however, that the company has signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide support and training at for-profit prisons operated by CoreCivic and GEO Group. Its technology services are used to track and manage case files when children and families are in the immigration system. General Dynamics is a prime example of a company profiting from those who are suffering. Too many of our elected officials accept money from weapons manufacturers, potentially influencing their votes on matters of war and peace. Tell your Congresspersons to stop taking campaign contributions from the weapon maker. 

General Dynamics has been implicated in war crimes and the loss of countless innocent lives around the world, including civilians in Yemen who are under siege from a relentless bombing campaign by Saudi Arabia, one of General Dynamics’ top customers abroad. The company’s arms sales only contribute to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region, which creates strong resentment towards our country and contributes to the rise of violent extremism worldwide. Even though there was an attempt by Congress to end support of the Saudi-led war on Yemen, it does not account for the large fingerprint General Dynamics has in perpetuating the war.  Tell your Congresspersons to stop taking campaign contributions from war profiteer General Dynamics. Congress should use this August recess to divest from the war machine, close the camps, and publicly speak out against the inhumane conditions that migrants and refugees have to endure because of reckless U.S. foreign and domestic policies. 

Our ideals and principles are of peace and justice — When the basic rights of the most vulnerable are threatened, we must stand up and speak truth to power.

Rise for immigrants and refugees,
Ann, Ariel, Caroline, Carley, Clara, Jodie, Lily, Maya, Mark, Medea, Megan, Nancy, Paki, Ryan, Sarah, Teri, Tighe, Umama, Ursula, and Zena