A Call for Conscientious Noncooperation draft
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A Call for Conscientious Non-cooperation with Illegitimate Authority (2d draft for comment)
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We are Americans who have traveled to Cuba legally on at least one occasionor were entitled to do so. To make the same trip today would be a violation of arbitrary regulations promulgated in 2003 and 2004 by the Bush Administration. These changes were made to pander to a tiny but influential political interest group in the run-up to the last Presidential election. They are unjust, counterproductive, contrary to US national security interests and create hardship for Americans and Cubans alike.
Cuban-Americans are no longer able to visit their families on an annual basis and for medical emergencies.
Virtually all programs of student exchange have been prohibited.
People-to-people, cultural, religious, and humanitarian visits have been curtailed if they do not fit into a narrow political agenda.
Under the guise of advancing freedom of Cubans, the most precious rights of all American citizens have been stolen through the device of currency control.
We have lost the liberty to travel, learn, and judge for ourselves, and thus to debate and influence from personal experience the impact and wisdom of our governments policies.
The democratic will of the people as expressed by bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress has been flouted by back room maneuvers and Presidential threats.
During the current Congressional session we are committed to try once more to end restrictions on travel to Cuba. However, if the intent of the majority to stop this injustice is again subverted by Republican leaders and the President, we urge all Americans to affirm in action this most fundamental right.
As we learned from the civil rights movement, the withdrawal of consent from an unjust restriction on freedom is the surest path to its restoration.
Any American can buy a ticket to third countries such as the Bahamas, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico. Any American can also buy a ticket to Cuba from travel agents in those countries although the Bush Administration claims that to do so without a license violates its regulations.
Once 10,000 Americans sign this statement, we intend to practice what we preach. Upon return we shall declare on the US immigration form that we have traveled to Cuba and knowingly reject the political manipulation of our freedom. We shall declare to US customs all Cuban origin goods, and if they are taken from us, politely but firmly request a receipt and regret for the pettiness of that action.
Should the Office of Foreign Assets Control subsequently challenge the legitimacy of our visit to Cuba, we shall insist on review by an Administrative Law judge. We shall ask the nearest chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to provide a pro bono attorney to defend us and seek public support from local newspapers, human rights groups and civic organizations.
If even 5\% of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who traveled legally to Cuba in the past decade simply exercise once again our traditional constitutional rights by going through third countries, without any subterfuge, it will be impossible for the Bush Administration to enforce its illegitimate usurpation of our liberty.
Regulations without reason can be eliminated by overloading an unjust and unpopular system.
[PROPOSED REVISIONS AND LONGER COMMENTS ON THE CONCEPT should BE SENT TO [email protected]]
[In order to comment on this draft, it is necessary to "sign" the petition, but your signature will not be considered an actual endorsement of this text.]
We are Americans who have traveled to Cuba legally on at least one occasionor were entitled to do so. To make the same trip today would be a violation of arbitrary regulations promulgated in 2003 and 2004 by the Bush Administration. These changes were made to pander to a tiny but influential political interest group in the run-up to the last Presidential election. They are unjust, counterproductive, contrary to US national security interests and create hardship for Americans and Cubans alike.
Cuban-Americans are no longer able to visit their families on an annual basis and for medical emergencies.
Virtually all programs of student exchange have been prohibited.
People-to-people, cultural, religious, and humanitarian visits have been curtailed if they do not fit into a narrow political agenda.
Under the guise of advancing freedom of Cubans, the most precious rights of all American citizens have been stolen through the device of currency control.
We have lost the liberty to travel, learn, and judge for ourselves, and thus to debate and influence from personal experience the impact and wisdom of our governments policies.
The democratic will of the people as expressed by bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress has been flouted by back room maneuvers and Presidential threats.
During the current Congressional session we are committed to try once more to end restrictions on travel to Cuba. However, if the intent of the majority to stop this injustice is again subverted by Republican leaders and the President, we urge all Americans to affirm in action this most fundamental right.
As we learned from the civil rights movement, the withdrawal of consent from an unjust restriction on freedom is the surest path to its restoration.
Any American can buy a ticket to third countries such as the Bahamas, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico. Any American can also buy a ticket to Cuba from travel agents in those countries although the Bush Administration claims that to do so without a license violates its regulations.
Once 10,000 Americans sign this statement, we intend to practice what we preach. Upon return we shall declare on the US immigration form that we have traveled to Cuba and knowingly reject the political manipulation of our freedom. We shall declare to US customs all Cuban origin goods, and if they are taken from us, politely but firmly request a receipt and regret for the pettiness of that action.
Should the Office of Foreign Assets Control subsequently challenge the legitimacy of our visit to Cuba, we shall insist on review by an Administrative Law judge. We shall ask the nearest chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to provide a pro bono attorney to defend us and seek public support from local newspapers, human rights groups and civic organizations.
If even 5\% of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who traveled legally to Cuba in the past decade simply exercise once again our traditional constitutional rights by going through third countries, without any subterfuge, it will be impossible for the Bush Administration to enforce its illegitimate usurpation of our liberty.
Regulations without reason can be eliminated by overloading an unjust and unpopular system.
[PROPOSED REVISIONS AND LONGER COMMENTS ON THE CONCEPT should BE SENT TO [email protected]]
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