While the world is captivated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, let us not forget the growing crisis in Afghanistan and the unpaid debt the U.S. owes to the Afghan people.
From Unfreeze Afghanistan – On February 11, President Biden issued an Executive Order regarding the $7 billion of Afghan funds invested in the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. Biden called for the money to be divided in two, with half going to compensate 9/11 families who had been suing the Taliban for sheltering Al Qaeda and the other half going to humanitarian aid. But the Afghan people are not responsible for 9/11 and more than humanitarian aid, they need their money to be returned to their Central Bank to shore up their collapsing economy. Moreover, these funds are not Biden’s to distribute. They belong to the Afghan people. Join us in expressing outrage at Biden’s cruel, unilateral measure and calling on him to reverse this decision.
Unfreeze Afghanistan organizers, Afghan- American Masuda Sultan, and Dr. Cheryl Benard explain the current situation in Afghanistan and what we can do to help Afghans help themselves. Listen to them on the VFP 92 Seattle Radio show episode here.
Watch a Democracy Now segment with Masuda Sultan, peace organizer Medea Benjamin and Phyllis Rodriguez here. Rodriguez is a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, whose son Greg was killed in the World Trade Center about the crisis here.
Please sign this petition calling on the Biden Administration, the World Bank, and key members of Congress to unfreeze Afghan funds.