Witness Against Torture - update

100 DAYS TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:39:31 -0400

Witness Against Torture is excited to announce a new campaign to close Guantánamo and end torture by the U.S. Kicking off with a nine day fast, the campaign will consist of a daily, sustained, physical presence across from the White House and a weekly schedule of Executive and Congressional education, public teach-ins and film screenings, prayer and vigiling, direct action and public pressure throughout the first 100 days of the new administration.

Jan 11 2008: 400 march, 80 arrested in Washington DC

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:09:22 -0500

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

Guantanamo Detainees Get Their "Day In Court"

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:01:45 -0400

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

Report on NYC Jan 11 action

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:55:56 -0500

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

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:33:32 -0500

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

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:02:05 -0500

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

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:00:55 -0500

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.

Join Us - January 11 to Shut Down Guantanamo!

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:46:37 -0500

Friday, January 11, 2008: The 6 year anniversary of the first prisoners being brought to Guantánamo.

Last year on January 11th, after 500 people processed from the Supreme Court to the Federal court, 150 people risked arrest on behalf of the men in Guantanamo, with 88 being arrested inside the Federal Court in DC. Many of those arrested withheld their identification and took the names of men at Guantanamo. It was a very powerful day, made possible by the contributions of many in the extended Catholic Worker family.

This year, we again are working with many groups on a demonstration in Washington, D.C. The day will begin with a rally at the National Mall co-sponsored with Amnesty International and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture followed by a “prisoner procession” to the Supreme Court. Endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, CodePink, International Federation for Human Rights, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Peace Action, School of the Americas Watch, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International, United for Peace and Justice, War Resisters League, and 100 other groups.

Come to DC or organize a vigil, demonstration or speaker in your own community!

SEE details about Jan 11 schedule of events in Washington, DC.

READ our call to action.

ENDORSE the Jan 11 Day of Action or VIEW list of endorsers.

DOWNLOAD flyers, web buttons, adaptable press release, and more.

FIND housing, food, transportation, legal and other logistical info.

VIEW a list of 75+ scheduled Jan 11 events or POST your event to our calendar.

GET tips and ideas for organizing actions.

DONATE and support the Jan 11th mobilization.

Theatre Against Torture: Bearing Witness In Times Square

Thu, 24 May 2007 08:50:54 -0400

May 19, 2007 - New York City’s Times Square military recruiting center - the busiest in the nation - was the site of a Witness Against Torture street theater action Saturday, May 19th. The vigil featured a street theater performance that told the story of capture, torture and indefinite detention. [ photos | video | report from Tom Good ]

90 Arrested in Action Inside U.S. Federal District Court in D.C., Hundreds March Through Captiol Hill

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:57:45 -0500

Hundreds marched through the streets of D.C. today, winding a path from the Capitol to the Supreme Court and ending at the U.S. Federal District Court House. Throughout the morning other activists entered the court house to file Habeas Corpus petitions and await the presentation of the prisoners.

Photos: WAT gallery | Reuters gallery
Articles: Reuters | AP | Washington Post
Video: Mike Flugennock

Report from December 10 Vigil: Des Moines, Iowa

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:27:01 -0500

From Sudan to Guantanamo, Torture is Torture. On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, groups around the world vigiled against torture at Catholic Cathedrals. Report from Des Moines Catholic Worker (DMCS)

Reports From December 10 Vigil: Dublin

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:22:10 -0500

On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, groups around the world vigiled against torture at Catholic Cathedrals.

Here is a report from Dublin, follow the links below for more reportbacks.

In Dublin, Ireland, a group vigiled at the steps to the Cathedral holding signs "While CIA Torture Flights Refuel in Ireland, The Church Can't be Silent" and "While an Illegal Invasion Refuels at Shannon, The Church can't Be Silent.”

Witness Against Torture Responds to Federal Court Decision on Hamdan

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 11:21:49 -0500

On December 14, 2006 the New York Times reported that “Judge James Robertson of the Federal District Court here said Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a prisoner at Guantánamo, could no longer contest his detention before a federal court because, Judge Robertson said, Congress this fall explicitly eliminated his right to file a habeas corpus challenge.”

CALL TO ACTION: International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 04:24:50 -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

JAN 11: INTERNATIONAL DAY TO SHUT DOWN GUANTÁNAMO

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:32:27 -0400

Thursday, January 11, 2007: The 5 year anniversary of the first prisoners being brought to Guantánamo. March, Press Conference and Nonviolent Direct Action in Washington, DC (DETAILS). Endorsed by Amnesty International USA, Center for Constitutional Rights, CodePink, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Pax Christi USA, School of Americas Watch, United for Peace and Justice and other groups.

Come to DC or organize a vigil, demonstration or speaker in your own community!

READ our call to action.

ENDORSE the Jan 11 Day of Action or VIEW list of endorsers.

DOWNLOAD flyers, web buttons, adaptable press release, and more.

FIND housing, food, transportation, legal and other logistical info.

VIEW a list of scheduled Jan 11 events or POST your event to our calendar.

DONATE and support the Jan 11th mobilization.

LEARN about the Delegation going to Guantánamo