Chomsky, Intellects Sign Statement Opposing US Support for Bahrain

Local Editor

The Campaign for Peace and Democracy released a press release announcing a statement opposing US support for the Bahrain government, currently brutally suppressing its own population with the aid of foreign troops.

Among the first who signed the statement were Noam Chomsky, Martin Duberman, Daniel Ellsberg, Mike Farrell, Chris Hedges, Adam Hochschild, Jan Kavan, Kathy Kelly, Dave Marsh, Frances Fox Piven, Katha Pollitt, Alix Kates Shulman and Cornel West.

The statement was signed by Psychologists for Social Responsibility, which is acknowledged in the press release, along with 1,200 individuals, including hundreds of Bahrainis who signed at great personal risk.

The Campaign for Peace and Democracy's launching statement "End U.S. Support for Bahrain's Repressive Government."

The statement will be sent to President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and key members of Congress, as well as to domestic and international media.

In the United States, Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) gave organizational endorsement to the statement. Stephen Soldz, PsySR president, stated, "We cannot be silent. Many of our members are health providers. The government of Bahrain has arrested nearly 50 doctors and other health providers, many of whom have been tortured. Their 'crime' is refusing to let injured protesters die and informing the world press about the abuses they witnessed."

The demands in the statement include an immediate end to all U.S. aid to Bahrain, and vigorous condemnation of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for sending in forces at the request of Bahrain's government to back up the repression.