guantanamo
Remembering Suicides in the Rotunda [by Jerica Arents]
In the absence of an intact corpse, families often gather for memorial services rather than funerals. The families of Salah Ahmed Al-Salami, Mani Shaman Al-Utaybi, and Yasser Talal Al-Zahrani – three Guantánamo prisoners whose earlier purported suicides were declared “asymmetrical warfare” by the military officials at Guantanamo – received Salah’s, Mani’s and Yasser’s broken and lifeless bodies. more...
Inside the Capitol Rotunda (Jan 21)
Fourteen Witness Against Torture activists entered the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol while dozens more were gathered outside. The Rotunda is site where U.S. presidents are waked, before burial. The U.S. government calls it the "Temple of Liberty" and the "Stage of the Nation." The activists formed a semicircle around the white circle in the Rotunda which designates the spot from which a new president departs for his inauguration and to which a president's body is returned after he dies. more...
Day 11: Fast and Vigil for Justice
Today was a busy one. As I sit to write this brief update, forty-two friends are in DC jail after simultaneous actions inside and outside the US Capitol. Rather than re-count the actions here, we encourage you too look through our site for photos, videos and other reports. Please forward links around, post them on facebook, e-mail them to friends and family, not to highlight what we have done, but to draw attention to the continuing crime of Guantanamo. more...
42 Arrested at U.S. Capitol in Day of Action to Denounce Obama’s Broken Promises on Guantanamo
Washington, DC - In a dramatic protest, 42 activists with Witness Against Torture were arrested this afternoon at the U.S. Capitol. Most of the arrestees had been fasting since January 11th.
The protest, which comes on the eve of the since-voided deadline President Obama had set for closing the prison camp at Guantanamo, was part of nationwide set of actions today that included dozens of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans lobbying Congress; a campaign by human rights organizations - with the support of the rock superband, Coldplay - to flood Twitter with the "CloseGitmo" message; and, a press conference held by retired Generals at the National Press Club. more...
Justice task force recommends about 50 Guantanamo detainees be held indefinitely [Washington Post]
A Justice Department-led task force has concluded that nearly 50 of the 196 detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be held indefinitely without trial under the laws of war, according to Obama administration officials. more...
PROMISES, PROMISES: Gitmo closing deadline missed [AP]
As President Barack Obama neared his self-imposed deadline to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, the Justice Department offices of the terrorist detention task force were bustling — not with lawyers but construction workers tearing apart the walls, ripping out any trace of the secretive work, though Obama's goal is still far off. more...
Day 10: Fast and Vigil for Justice
We started off Day 10 of the fast with a procession to the White House for a press conference with CodePINK. Next, we made our way to the Senate Hart building, where, after lots of meetings and planning, we had the opportunity to put our ideas into action. All of those meetings paid off - the action came together beautifully! more...
Jan 21: Witness Against Torture Decries Obama's Broken Promises, America's Broken Laws, Lives Broken By Torture
WASHINGTON, DC: A year ago today, Barack Obama was inaugurated President, riding a waves of hope and excitement into the Oval Office. Two days later, he signed executive orders outlawing torture and committing his administration to closing Guantanamo within a year. more...
Courage, Muslim Brother, You Do Not Walk Alone
Witness Against Torture activists entered the Hart Senate office building in Washington, DC at 1pm today, January 20, 2010, to lobby Congress in a new way. We were dressed in orange jumpsuits with the names of Guantanamo prisoners that have been cleared for release pinned to our backs. Four activists went to each of the seven floors to walk through the corridors in silence. more...
Day 9: Fast and Vigil for Justice
We began Day 9 before the sun came up, getting everyone together, into orange jumpsuits, and out the door of St. Stephen's by 6:20am. Off we went to the Pentagon, to participate in a weekly vigil that the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker has been holding consistently for over 25 years. more...