Psychologists for Social Responsibility has issued a range of public statements and letters on issues central to our work and mission. Below is a listing of recent examples, with links to PDF versions suitable for printing and distribution.
We support Division 48 Peace Psychology call for an Immediate Ceasfire in Gaza. November 2023
Statement in Support of Dr. Lara Sheehi
We express unwavering support for Dr. Sheehi’s right to free speech and we denounce the smear campaign that targets Dr. Sheehi conducted by the group StandWithUs Feb. 6, 2023
PsySR Endorsement of Organizational Sign-on re: Afghanistan
PsySR endorses and has signed on to this document initiated by Refugee Council USA urging Administrative action regarding U.S. response and commitment to humanitarian protections for Afghans in danger and Afghan refugees. August 20, 2021
PsySR Statement of Solidarity with Palestine June 2021
We, as psychologists, and human beings, declare our unequivocal solidarity with the anti colonial liberation struggle and resistance of the Palestinian people. June 12, 2021
PsySR endorses this statement from the Pastoral Care Committee of the Fifteenth Street Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) calling for investigation and accountability regarding the exacerbation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
PsySR Statement on anti-Black Racism June 26, 2020
PsySR Declaration of Solidarity with Venezuela June 2020
PsySR Declaracion de Solidaridad con Venezuela June 2020
PsySR Statement on the Treatment of Asylum Seekers and COVID19 May 2020
PsySR calls for the immediate repeal of Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and for the end to the continued assault on the basic human rights of asylum seekers within migrant prisons and camps on the US/Mexico border.
Psychologists for Social Responsibility Statement on Mass Incarceration for Berkeley Conference, November 2019
Psychologists for Social Responsibility Statement in Support of the Hawaiian Mauna a Kea Protectors July 2019
Psychologists for Social Responsibility endorses Abortion Ban Protest Letter
Psychologists for Social Responsibility expresses its strong endorsement of PsySR member and former president Roy Eidelson’s recent article for Counterpunch—“Is the American Psychological Association Addicted to Militarism and War?”
PsySR’s Statement on the Arrest of Julian Assange and the Detainment of Chelsea Manning
Psychologists for Social Responsibility decries the recent arrests and detentions of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. (April 14, 2019)
PsySR’s Statement in Support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
PsySR issues a statement expressing our strong support for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. We thank her for her courage and for her commitment to fulfilling a civic duty, even in awareness that it involves considerable risk.
PsySR’s Call for Transparency and Accountability Regarding the Neubauer Twin and Triplet Studies
PsySR calls for increased transparency with regard to the Neubauer twin and triplet studies, with concern for ethical accountability, precedent, and the health of survivors. (Jan 30, 2019)
PsySR’s Statement in Support of Nuclear Disarmament
PsySR issues a statement opposing the exchange of inflammatory rhetoric between the U.S. and North Korea and calls for progress towards nuclear disarmament. (August 18, 2017)
PsySR’s Statement in Support of the March for Science
PsySR issues a statement in support of the 2017 Earth Day March for Science in cities around the world (April 21, 2017).
PsySR’s Statement in Support of Comprehensive Rehabilitative Services for Torture Survivors
PsySR issues a statement expressing our commitment to the right to comprehensive rehabilitative services for torture survivors, including current and former Guantanamo detainees (February 2, 2017).
PsySR’s Statement in Support of the Standing Rock Sioux
PsySR issues a statement in support of the Standing Rock Sioux and their campaign of nonviolent resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline (October 26, 2016).
PsySR’s Letter to Army Secretary Regarding Treatment of PFC Chelsea Manning
PsySR sends letter to Army Secretary expressing concern over recent ruling that subjects PFC Chelsea Manning to punitive solitary confinement for her suicide attempt. (October 1, 2016).
PsySR’s Statement Supporting APA Post-Hoffman Reforms
PsySR issues a statement in support of crucial post-Hoffman reform efforts at the American Psychological Association (July 28, 2016).
PsySR’s Statement on Racial Injustice in the U.S.
PsySR issues a statement on the connection between issues of racial injustice in the U.S. criminal justice system and torture and other human rights concerns (April 3, 2016).
In coalition with other groups, PsySR presents leaders of the American Psychological Association with a set of preliminary recommendations related to human rights and psychological ethics in national security settings (March 8, 2016).
PsySR’s Letter to Prime Minister of Turkey
PsySR sends a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey protesting mistreatment of scholars advocating for peace and negotiations (February 14, 2016).
PsySR’s Letter on APA’s Interim CEO Search
PsySR sends a letter to the APA Board calling for changes to the Association’s interim CEO search process (September 27, 2015).
PsySR’s Statement on Iran Nuclear Deal
PsySR issues a statement supporting the Iran Nuclear Deal currently under consideration in Congress (August 24, 2015).
PsySR’s Statement on Hoffman Report
PsySR issues a statement responding to the investigative report on APA collusion with the DoD and CIA (July 13, 2015).
PsySR’s Statement on the Latest Reports of APA-CIA Collusion
PsySR issues a statement calling for accountability and reform in response to new revelations of APA-CIA collusion (May 6, 2015).
PsySR’s Statement on Recent Events in Ferguson, Missouri
PsySR issues a statement expressing sympathy and support for those saddened and outraged by recent events in Ferguson (November 27, 2014).
PsySR’s Statement on Recent Revelations about APA-CIA Collusion
In light of new evidence, PsySR issues a statement condemning APA-CIA collusion on ethics policies and calls for an independent investigation of the APA (October 27, 2014).
PsySR Submits Letter to California Hearing on Solitary Confinement
PsySR writes an open letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressing deep concern over the pretrial detention conditions of alleged Wikileaks source PFC Bradley Manning, including solitary confinement, a forced lack of exercise, and possible sleep deprivation (February 11, 2014).
PsySR Sends Letter of Support for CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou
PsySR sends a letter to the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons urging that former CIA agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence in a halfway house (January 30, 2014).
PsySR Raises Concerns about APA Decision in Leso Case
PsySR sends a letter to the Ethics Office of the American Psychological Association expressing serious concerns about the decision to close the ethics complaint against former Guantanamo psychologist John Leso. (January 29, 2014).
PsySR Sponsors Letter Urging an End to Force Feeding of GTMO Hunger-Strikers
PsySR joins other organizations and over 400 health professionals and human rights advocates in urging President Obama to end the force-feeding of hunger-strikers at Guantanamo (August 12, 2013).
PsySR Joins Coalition Calling for End to Force-Feeding of GTMO Hunger-Strikers
PsySR joins the ACLU and other organizations in urging Defense Secretary Hagel to end the force-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners in Guantanamo Bay (May 13, 2013).
PsySR’s Open Letter on Hunger Strike at Guantanamo
PsySR writes an open letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel calling on him to address the Guantanamo hunger strike in a manner that respects the concerns and autonomy of the detainees. (April 8, 2013)
PsySR Issues Statement on Children and Violence
Following the December 2012 tragic shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, PsySR issues a statement calling for determined efforts to address the widespread violence that harms so many children in the U.S. and around the world (January 10, 2013).
PsySR Issues Statement on Budget Priorities, Poverty, and Inequality
PsySR issues a statement calling for budget priorities that recognize the critical importance of working together to reduce poverty and inequality in the U.S. (April 25, 2012).
PsySR Sends Letter to Attorneys General on Killing of Trayvon Martin
PsySR sends a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for further investigation into the tragic killing of teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida (March 25, 2012).
PsySR Issues Statement On the Occupy Movements
PsySR issues a statement expressing strong support for the Occupy movements, which serve as a source of inspiration, hope, and unity for millions of citizens (October 20, 2011).
PsySR Issues Statement on Corporate Personhood
PsySR issues a statement highlighting the need to limit the excessive protections provided by “corporate personhood” in order to better promote human welfare (October 7, 2011).
PsySR Issues Statement on Psychological Health and Well-Being
PsySR issues a statement highlighting the urgent challenges faced by professionals and the public in more broadly advancing psychological health and well-being during this time of growing economic, social, and environmental crisis (September 19, 2011).
PsySR Signs Letter to President Calling for Halt to “Fracking”
PsySR joins other organizations in a letter urging President Obama to halt hydraulic fracturing until and unless the environmental and health impacts are well understood and the public is adequately protected (August 8, 2011)
PsySR Signs Statement Calling for End of U.S. Support for Bahrain’s Repressive Government
PsySR joins the Campaign for Peace and Democracy in a statement calling for an end to U.S. support for governmental repression in Bahrain, which has included the arrest of health professionals for providing care to wounded protesters (May 16, 2011).
PsySR Joins Coalition in Opposing Expansion of Presidential War-Making Powers
PsySR joins a coalition of 23 organizations in sending a memorandum to the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services opposing language in a bill that would dramatically expand the President’s war-making powers (May 9, 2011).
PsySR’s Letter to Congress on Budget Cuts, Poverty and Inequality
PsySR sends a letter (signed by 166 members) to members of the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and President Obama expressing deep concern over budget cuts on millions of U.S. families and children living in poverty (April 23, 2011).
PsySR’s Follow-up Open Letter on PFC Bradley Manning’s Forced Nudity and Solitary Confinement
PsySR writes a follow-up letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the worsening pretrial detention conditions of alleged Wikileaks source PFC Bradley Manning, which now includes the humiliation of forced nudity in addition to solitary confinement (March 9, 2011).
PsySR Joins Other Groups in Support for Spanish Court Investigations of Torture
PsySR joins other human rights groups in expressing support for Spanish courts considering cases to bring American officials to justice for the crime of torture (February 10, 2011).
PsySR’s Statement on Democratic Change in the Middle East
PsySR issues a statement calling on U.S. leaders to stand firmly in support of democratic change in Egypt, Tunisia, and elsewhere (February 1, 2011).
PsySR’s Open Letter on PFC Bradley Manning’s Solitary Confinement
PsySR writes an open letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressing deep concern over the pretrial detention conditions of alleged Wikileaks source PFC Bradley Manning, including solitary confinement, a forced lack of exercise, and possible sleep deprivation (January 3, 2011).
A Commitment to Address Poverty and Inequality
PsySR issues a statement, developed by members of PsySR’s Poverty and Inequality Project, on the urgent need to address poverty and inequality (September 29, 2010).
PsySR Calls on the Government of Israel to Lift the Siege of Gaza
PsySR issues a statement calling on the Government of Israel to end the siege of Gaza and urging health and mental health professionals to join our call (August 30, 2010).
Letter to the Governor of Puerto Rico in Support of Non-Violence, Dialogue, and Negotiation
PsySR writes to the Governor of Puerto Rico and to key officials of the University of Puerto Rico calling for dialogue, negotiations, and non-violence during the ongoing student-led strikes (May 14, 2010).
Immigration Reform, Yes–Scapegoating and Racial Profiling, No
PsySR strongly opposes Arizona’s SB 1070, the new state immigration law that allows enforcement officers with “reasonable suspicion” to demand proof of legal residency (May 13, 2010).
Child Abuse and the Catholic Church: The Need for Dialogue and Justice
PsySR issues a statement emphasizing the need for dialogue and justice in response to growing revelations about child abuse within the Catholic Church (April 22, 2010).
PsySR’s Statement on the APA and the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel
PsySR issues a statement urging the American Psychological Association to change course and not hold events at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during its 2010 Annual Convention (December 23, 2009).
In Afghanistan, Escalate Development and Diplomacy, Not War
PsySR opposes the proposed U.S. military escalation in Afghanistan. Highlighting key psychological and human rights considerations, we instead call for a heightened focus on development and diplomacy (December 14, 2009).
Coalition Letter to President Obama on Torture and Transparency
PsySR joins other human rights groups in a letter to President Obama calling for an investigation of all former U.S. officials allegedly complicit in incidents or policies of torture of detainees housed at Guantánamo Bay and elsewhere (November 24, 2009).
Climate Action Now to Prevent Severe Mental Health Risks
PsySR sends a letter to Congress urging representatives to take urgent action to prevent the growing risks to our psychological health from climate change (November 6, 2009).
Coalition Letter to APA Board on Psychologists’s Involvement in Abusive Interrogations
PsySR joins other human rights groups in an open letter to the Board of the American Psychological Association in response to the board’s minimizing the extent of psychologists’ involvement in state-sanctioned abuse as well as APA’s own defense of such involvement. (June 29, 2009).
PsySR_Statement_on_Torture_Commission
PsySR urges the appointment of an independent torture commission to examine the role of psychologists and the American Psychological Association in prisoner abuse (April 23, 2009).
PsySR Statement on Same Sex Marriage
PsySR issues a statement affirming its support for same-sex marriage and its opposition to any national or state legislation that seeks to deny same-sex couples the right to marry (November 24, 2008).National Immigration Law Center