FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katelyn Gimbel
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (703) 739-5920
CFTR URGES ALL REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO JOIN GRAHAM/WOLF LEGISLATION BLOCKING CIVILIAN TRIALS FOR 9/11 TERRORISTS
(ALEXANDRIA, Feb. 3) – Citizens for the Republic Chairman Craig Shirley – responding to the introduction of bipartisan legislation in both houses of the Congress seeking to block funding for civilian trials for the terrorists who planned and carried out the 9/11 attacks against innocent American civilians – today praised Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Frank Wolf for their leadership on the issue, and urged others to join them as co-sponsors on the legislation.
“Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his cohorts did not commit a crime when they plotted to bring down the Twin Towers and strike the Pentagon and the White House, they committed an act of war,” said Shirley. “They shouldn’t be treated the same way we treat common criminals, they should be treated the way we treat war criminals.
“Senator Lindsey Graham yesterday introduced S. 2977 with 22 co-sponsors, and U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf yesterday introduced H.R. 4566 with 38 co-sponsors. Both bills have Democrats and Republicans supporting them, and both bills contain simple prohibitions against funding civilian trials of those terrorists who plotted to attack us on 9/11.
“The fault line on this issue could not be clearer: On the one side are those who believe terrorists who plotted to murder innocent civilians committed an act of war, and should be treated as enemy combatants; on the other side are those who believe these terrorists deserve taxpayer-funded lawyers and endless appeals.
“Where will YOUR Senator and Representative come down on this issue? There’s a simple way to find out,” Shirley continued. “Let’s see who signs on as co-sponsors to the Graham/Wolf legislation. I can’t think of an easier way to separate those who put defense of country first from those who put defending terrorists’ ‘rights’ first.”