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Guantanamo Detainees Get Their "Day In Court"
Thirty-four Americans arrested at the Supreme Court on January 11, 2008 were found guilty after a three-day trial which began on Tuesday, May 27th in D.C. Superior Court. The 34 defendants represented themselves, mounting a spirited defense of their First Amendment rights to protest the gross injustice of abuse and indefinite detention of men at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. Twelve were given jail sentences ranging from one to fifteen days, as well as a one year stay-away from the Supreme Court, and $50 in court fees.
All told, 80 people were arrested on January 11th in D.C. as part of an International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantanamo.
- Releases: 5/29: Anti-Torture Activists Convicted | 5/29: Lawyer For Prisoners At Guantanamo Barred From Testifying At Trial For Anti-Torture Activists | 5/20: Guantánamo Detainees To Get Their Day In Court
- Clippings: Washington Post: 5/30: 34 Convicted in Display At U.S. Supreme Court | 5/27: Guantanamo Critics Reiterate Protests as Their Trial Opens (includes video!) | IPS: These Names Have Never Been Spoken in a U.S. Court | AFP: Trial opens for 35 anti-Guantanamo demonstrators | Al Jazeera: Guantanamo protesters in court | DemocracyNow: Anti-Torture Activists Convicted, Jailed for Protesting Gitmo Outside Supreme Court
- List of Trial Press Coverage
- 5/27 Video by Anthony Giacchino | Photos
Trial details: Statements and Synopsis, Day One | Statements and Synopsis, Day Two | Statements and Synopsis, Day Three | Sentencing Statements, Day Four | Sentences- Full Press Kit
- Read more about January 11, 2008 Day of Action
Jan 11 2008: 400 march, 80 arrested in Washington DC
January 11, 2008 – Dozens of activists organized by Witness Against Torture delivered a message to the U.S. Supreme Court demanding the shut-down of the U.S. prison at Guantánamo and justice for those detained there. About 40 people were arrested inside the Court building and another 40 on the steps. All 80 have been released, but many were denied food and water for most of the 30-some hours they were detained [read more...]. The arrests followed a solemn march from the National Mall of 400 persons that included a procession of activists dressed like the Guantánamo prisoners in orange jumpsuits and black hoods – part of an International Day of Action that was endorsed by over 100 groups and that included 83 events around the world.
- DC Photo Albums: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | solidarity actions album
- DC Press: AP Washington Post Al Jazeera VOA AFP DowJones News
- Indymedia & Blogs: Global DC Indybay LA Colorado Philly Richmond New Orleans Boston FriendlyAgitate Des Moines CW Press-Citizen
- Other cities: SF Miami London Las Vegas Edinburgh, UK Turkey Seattle Barcelona Boise, Idaho Philadelphia Norwich, CT Warsaw [1 2] Des Moines, IA New York City Elizabethtown, NY
- Video & Slidehows: DC [1 2 3 4] SF Al Jazeera Miami LA UCLA London
Report on NYC Jan 11 action
Even though there was torrential rain on Friday afternoon, more than one hundred persons gathered in Foley Square to stand together in opposition to torture and to call for the closing of the national shame that is Guantanamo. As our moderator, Rev. Donna Schaper, said to me afterwards, “It is great that we got even more persons than last year, but sad that we still have to have this vigil.”
UPDATE ON FRIDAY'S ARRESTS AT THE SUPREME COURT
January 12, 2008 - 80 people were arrested at the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday as part of Witness Against Torture's January 11th action to mark six years of unjust imprisonment and abuse for the men held in Guantánamo. About half were arrested inside the U.S. Supreme Court; the others were arrested on the steps of the Court. As of 8pm, Saturday, all 80 people have been released. Many of the arrestees were denied food and water for most of the 30-some hours they were detained.
Renowned Street Artist Shepard Fairey Supports Witness Against Torture
Shepard Fairey created a "POW-USA" Poster for Witness Against Torture. We are blown away by what he has created, and think it will strike a chord with people-- provoking, challenging, demanding a response.
Of the print, Fairey quotes George Orwell, who said: "Sometimes the first duty of intelligent men is the restatement of the obvious." On his site, he asserts: "This week’s print was made to help bring awareness and some funding to a campaign that has a mission to shut down Guantanamo Prison."
We are incredibly grateful! The print is on sale on his website and is expected to sell out.
Put torture and indefinite detention front & center in the 2008 Presidential Campaign
Act Against Torture is asking people throughout the United States to attend campaign events - virtually or in-the-flesh - and ask a simple, direct, and comprehensive question of candidates for President. They want to know where the candidates stand on the issues of torture and indefinite detention, especially in relation to the recent legalization of these practices via the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Download and print their Repeal MCA YouTube flyer to encourage others to ask The Question at any campaign events you attend.
