obama
Day 12: Fast and Vigil for Justice
All of our friends who spent last night and the better part of today in jail, have now been released. After 30 hours locked up, the system slowly grinded on, and people have a first court date of March 18. We'll keep you in the loop as details around a possible trial come together. From those who were arrested, there were stories of joy as well as frustration… 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...
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...
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...
Protestors demand Guantanamo closure on facility’s eighth anniversary [RT - video]
On the eighth anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay prison, activists dressed in prison suits took to the streets of Washington demanding closure of the facility – something that President Obama promised to do a year ago. more...
Eight Years of Guantánamo: What’s Changed?
The first 20 detainees arrived at Guantánamo's Camp X-Ray eight years ago, on January 11, 2002. Just over seven years later, President Barack Obama-on his second full day after taking office-issued an order to shut the prison within a year. more...
NY Times: Yes, It Was Torture, and Illegal
A New York Times Editorial reprimands the U.S. Supreme Court AND the Obama Justice Department for refusing to review a case of four British detainees against Donald Rumsfeld and military officers for ordering torture and abuse at Guantánamo.
Yes, It Was Torture, and Illegal more...
Plan to Move Guantánamo Detainees Faces a New Delay [NY Times]
WASHINGTON — Rebuffed this month by skeptical lawmakers when it sought finances to buy a prison in rural Illinois, the Obama administration is struggling to come up with the money to replace the Guantánamo Bay prison. more...
Guantanamo may close by summer: U.S. official [Reuters]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General Eric Holder said on Wednesday the U.S. government's purchase of a prison in Illinois to hold some Guantanamo Bay detainees will help close the facility in Cuba, perhaps by summer. more...
Obama Breaks Promise on Shutting Gitmo Down by January 2010 [KPFK]
Radio interview with Witness Against Torture member Jeremy Varon. more...