AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL
PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2020

 
CONTACT: AHEPA Headquarters
PHONE: 202.232.6300
EMAIL: ahepa@ahepa.org


Action Alert! | The Senate Must Act to Sanction Turkey


Turkey's instigation of the most recent migration crisis at the Greek-Turkish border is yet another in an endless series of provocative actions by Turkey that causes instability to the region and fuels tensions within the NATO alliance ( our statement). Turkey's actions are not one of a NATO ally and are not in the best interests of the United States.

This is the Turkey that warranted our international call to " Sanction Turkey." The belligerent and authoritarian-led Turkey  that caused Congress to undertake unprecedented action to hold Turkey responsible for its actions. 

Now, more than ever, Congress must finish what it started and pass legislation that sanctions Turkey.

AHEPA has reiterated, most recently at the rally in New York City, to #DefendHellenism, and calls for the community to continue its efforts for the U.S. government to sanction Turkey.

Background

In October 2019, the House of Representatives passed H.R.4695, the Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act, with overwhelming bipartisan support.
In December 2019, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed S.2641, a companion sanctions bill to the PACT Act, sponsored by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch and Ranking Member Robert Menendez.
  • S.2641, Risch-Menendez Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019 ( see co-sponsors)
What's Next/Status
  • Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell must bring S.2641 to the Senate floor for a vote by the U.S. Senate.
Action
  • Tell your U.S. Senators to support bipartisan-backed legislation that places strong sanctions on Turkey by encouraging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring S.2641 to the Senate floor for a vote.
Via Phone

Contact your U.S. Senators, identify yourself as a constituent, and ask to speak with the Senator's legislative director or foreign affairs legislative assistant.
  1. Request your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor S.2641, legislation that places sanctions on Turkey for Turkey's military incursion into northeast Syria and attack on the Kurds.
     
  2. Advise the Senator's staff person the Senate Foreign Relations passed S.2641 out of committee with bipartisan support.
     
  3. Request your U.S. Senators to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring S.2641 to the Senate floor for a vote. 
Sample Email Content

As a constituent, I urge you to call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to have the Senate take immediate action to sanction Turkey.
 
Turkey must be held liable for its invasion of northeast Syria, which is a violation of international law. Turkey attacked U.S.-allied Kurds who fought against ISIS, resulted in civilian casualties, and endangered U.S. military personnel. It worsened a humanitarian and refugee crisis and fueled increased regional tension and instability, including instigating a migration crisis on the Greek-Turkish border. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey conducts illegal drilling activities, signs illegal maritime agreements, and practices gunboat diplomacy.
 
As a first step, I urge you to co-sponsor, if you have not already, S.2641, Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019, sponsored by Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch and Ranking Member Robert Menendez. Equally important, please reach out to Majority Leader McConnell and urge a floor vote on the bill.
 
Please support this vitally important legislation that upholds American values and security interests.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]



   
Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.  
 
AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism. 
 
For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.

 
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