My name is Eve Tetaz, pro se defendant speaking on the behalf of Noor Uthman Muhammed, a Sudanese man, imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.

The prosecution asked several of the defendants if they carried a picture of the Guantanamo detainee they represented, or if they wore name tags. Yes, your honor. I carried Noor Muhammed in my heart, since Jan. 11, 2008. I never met Mr. Muhammed, and I know nothing about him except his country of origin and that he is a prisoner. I see his face, however, whenever I look on the face of a laughing child safe and secure in the arms of a loving parent.

I see Noor Muhammed now, in the face of 19 year old Ashley who testified so eloquently as to the reasons she felt led to speak truth to power on Jan: 11 2008.

Your Honor, I do not protest the justice of the law under which I was found guilty. Nor do I negate the right of this court to reach this verdict. Rather, I wish to explain my reasons for maintaining my plea of not guilty for refusing to leave the steps of the Supreme Court on January 11th.

Prior to January 11, I had made numerous fruitless attempts to speak to President Bush, members of his Cabinet and various members of Congress concerning my opposition to the illegal and immoral treatment of Noor Uthman Muhammed. Silence in the face of such abuse is tantamount to condoning the abuse. Your Honor, I cannot – I will not remain silent.

In voicing my grief and horror over the blatant disregard for the rights of Noor Muhammed, I was peaceful, respectful; and my actions remained prayerful as I grieved for him and all my brothers who are being abused in the name of justice. When asked to move, I refused in order to show my solidarity with them. All life is sacred; and these men and boys, regardless of religion, ethnicity or country of origin, are members of God’s Holy Family.

Although as a District of Columbia resident I’m denied regular Congressional representation, I am never the less responsible for the policies of those who are elected to represent the people/ I honor the Constitution upon which our laws are based;. But when the government disregards its laws and wages an unprovoked, pre-emptive aggressive, illegal and immoral war on Iraq that has been condemned by international law and the highest religious authorities - it does so in my name. When my government sets up a detention facility in Guantanamo condemned by the whole world, it does so in my name. When it kidnaps people off the streets in countries around the world and furtively transports them to torture facilities under the direction of American, it does so in my name.

My faith translates into advocating non-violent resistance to all forms of injustice as the sole means of achieving justice and equity for all. We must look for common ground in dealing with our enemies, solve differences without resorting to armed conflict, and replace the desire for revenge with forgiveness and reconciliation.

Your Honor, the Government does not have the right IN MY NAME to pursue a policy that has already led to untold suffering and destruction of life .NO, Your Honor Not in MY NAME In closing, I would like to invite you and every who is present in this court room to join the defendants in this trial in our refusal to remain silent in the face of injustice. Let us together turn our swords into plowshares so that nations may learn war no more.

Thank You