Calling for More Weapons for Ukraine
April 22, 2022 |
Dear Friend, This week, at a briefing as Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I reiterated my position that the United States and its allies must provide all the weaponry Ukraine requests in its defense against Russia's war on their country. I also recommended to the State Department that it restrict United States visas to several British lawyers who enable Russian oligarchs to undermine democracy with lawsuits and other tactics intended to thwart journalists from informing the public of their nefarious activities and expressed concern at Russia's handling of the case of opposition leader and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza. I also cheered the Game 2 and 3 victories of the Grizzlies over the Timberwolves; visited Grizzlies Prep and Stax Academy to talk with students; celebrated the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson crossing the Major League Baseball color line; celebrated Earth Day; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens. Calling for More Weapons for Ukraine Urging State Department to Restrict Visas for Enablers of Oligarchs Expressing Concern at Russia's Handling of Opposition Leader Vladimir Kara-Murza Congratulating the Grizzlies for Game 2 and 3 Victories Visiting Grizzlies Prep Charter School Visiting Students at Stax Academy Celebrating 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier Celebrating Earth Day by Promoting Environmental Justice Calling for More Weapons for Ukraine
On Wednesday, as Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, I participated in a briefing with journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine. In the wide-ranging discussion of Russia's goals and its war crimes, I underscored my commitment to ensuring Ukraine receives all the weaponry it needs as soon as possible from the U.S. inventory or our allies' supplies. See my release including the discussion with the journalists here. Urging State Department to Restrict Visas for Enablers of Oligarchs On Monday, I wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, copying Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to consider restricting travel to the United States for six British lawyers known to aid and abet Russian oligarchs in baseless libel lawsuits. The letter has produced a blizzard of news coverage in Britain, along with renewed calls for reform. See my release with the letter naming the lawyers here. Expressing Concern at Russia's Handling of Opposition Leader Vladimir Kara-Murza Earlier today, as Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, I expressed my concern at Russia's handling of the case against opposition leader and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Russian authorities today unveiled new charges against Mr. Kara-Murza of spreading false information about the Russian military that could result in a ten-year prison sentence. While I am dismayed by this news, I am not surprised. Mr. Kara-Murza has been an outspoken Putin foe for years, and Putin is not kind to brave people like this. I repeat my previous calls for his swift release. Mr. Kara-Murza testified before the Helsinki Commission last month about Vladimir Putin's war on the truth, likening the situation in Russia to George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. See the statement I put out about today's turn of events here. CNN will air a documentary on Alexei Navalny, another imprisoned Putin opponent, Sunday night at 8 p.m. Central/9 p.m. Eastern. Congratulating the Grizzlies for Game 2 and 3 Victories
The Hernando DeSoto Bridge lit up for the Grizzlies. Photo by Patti Marsh After a disappointing loss in Game 1, it has been thrilling to see the Grizzlies win in Games 2 and 3. Certainly, Thursday night's game against the Timberwolves was one for the history books with a final score of 104 to 95 after a 26-point deficit. The amazing comeback victory has definitely energized our city. I congratulate Coach Taylor Jenkins and the whole Grizzlies management team as well as the players as we look forward to Game 4. Visiting Grizzlies Prep Charter School
On Thursday morning, I visited the Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School – "Grizzlies Prep" – and met with the students and staff of the public charter school backed by the NBA Team to provide an excellent education for young men in grades 6-8. These bright students demonstrate the success of this model, although the playoffs are understandably causing some distractions these days. Visiting Students at the Stax Music Academy
Also Thursday, I visited with the talented student musicians at the Stax Music Academy who continue to impress with their skill and dedication to Memphis soul music. I thank Tim Sampson for the excellent tour. Visiting Memphis Rox
After visiting Stax Academy, I had the opportunity to visit Memphis Rox, an indoor rock-climbing facility founded by writer and director Tom Shadyac and Chris Dean. Dean has the distinction of having introduced President Obama to his graduating class at Booker T. Washington High School in 2011. I toured the facility which, besides the climbing wall, has a full gym and a smoothie bar. Celebrating 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier
Jackie Robinson made history and became a visible icon of the civil rights movement when he broke Major League Baseball's color barrier 75 years ago playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The U.S. Mint has struck a commemorative bronze medal and coins to celebrate the anniversary. Read about them here and here. Celebrating Earth Day by Promoting Environmental Justice Today is Earth Day, a day on which we renew our commitment to reducing air and water pollution and leaving the planet safe for future generations. Memphis' recent victory in a battle involving an oil pipeline company's plans to build over our drinking water aquifer and through the historic Black neighborhood of Boxtown prompted me to redouble my efforts to see that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes issues of environmental justice more seriously. On this Earth Day, we pause to reflect on what more we can do. As a frequent flyer between Memphis and Washington, I welcomed the Biden Administration decision to appeal a Florida federal judge's misguided ruling to lift masking requirements on airplanes and other modes of public transportation. Masks help prevent the spread of this contagious virus and the expertise of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance should be recognized. It is worth noting that the Trump-appointed judge, nominated at age 33 and approved by a 49-41 partisan vote, was found unqualified by the American Bar Association due to lack of experience for a federal judgeship with life tenure. Despite the judge's ruling, I urge everyone to continue wearing masks while indoors among strangers. "I've had it with this guy…What he did is unacceptable. Nobody can defend that and nobody should defend it." – Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, quoted speaking of Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for America's Future by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
