Witness Against Torture - statement

Letter from International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:30:48 -0500

Take Action on the International Day To Shut Down Guantánamo! On January 11th, 2002, the first prisoners arrived at the American detention camp of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. January 11th, 2008 will mark six years of indefinite detention at Guantánamo.

CALL TO ACTION: International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo, Jan. 11, 2008

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:47:02 -0500

"There is little question of how history will respond to Guantánamo…it will be looked back on with condescension and bemusement. How could we be so foolish, misguided, cruel? How we will respond is a legal question and a political question. But it is most of all a moral question. Will we respond with courage or cowardice? This is our choice."

- Joseph Margulies, a lawyer challenging the indefinite detention of the prisoners at Guantánamo

Shut Down Guantanamo - by David McReynolds

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:07:27 -0500

Shut Down Guantanamo - by David McReynolds

This is written early Wednesday morning, before I take Amtrak down to Washington DC to join Thursday's protest on the International Day to Shut Down Guantanamo. Before going further, let me give the web site so that anyone wanting to join the general campaign can find ways to engage.

Statement by T. Paracha

Fri, 05 May 2006 03:40:59 -0400

During Witness Against Torture’s press conference to kick off a day of action to Condemn Torture, we heard from T. Paracha, a New York-based computer consultant, whose uncle Saifullah Paracha has been incarcerated at Guantánamo since July 2003. Here is Mr. Paracha’s statement:

The Return

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 18:58:03 -0500

Jackie Allen-Doucot, December 15, 2005

It was very difficult to leave the community we had formed at the gate to Guantanamo. On Wednesday morning I was looking out the kitchen window of St. Martin House watching the snow and birds as the sun came up. I immediately thought of friends back at the gate whom I knew were still fasting. I knew that some had been up all night praying and keeping vigil; hoping that word might come through the Cuban checkpoint that the US military would allow us in. There had already been so many little miracles that got us to the Cuban checkpoint, how could we stop believing in them now?

Statement of support from Howard Zinn

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:39:28 -0500

I want to express my heartfelt support for the people in Witness Against Torture, who have made this extraordinary journey to Guatanamo to speak for millions of Americans who are horrified at the torture and abuse of human beings who have not been found guilty of any crime. Those who protest against the horrible practices at Guantanamo represent the best in our country, and want to say to the world that our government and its policies in Guantanamo violate the principles this nation is supposed to represent. It is therefore the responsibility of all of us as citizens, both of the nation and the world, to speak out for human rights.

Statements from Fr. Dan Berrigan and Fr. John Dear

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 11:37:34 -0500

“I consider this the most exhilarating, exciting and compassionate action since 1980 and the start of the plowshares. Blessings and gratitude to all 25.”
-- Fr. Daniel Berrigan, S.J.