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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.

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.

Standing Up for the Soul of the Nation

Published on Common Dreams, 5/30/08
On Tuesday, May 27th, trial began for thirty-five people arrested at the U.S. Supreme Court on January 11, 2008 — the date that marked six years of torture and abuse at the U.S. detention center at Guantánamo Bay.

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Lawyer For Prisoners At Guantanamo Barred From Testifying At Trial For Anti-Torture Activists

Washington, DC, May 29, 2008 - Today, Judge Wendell Gardner refused to hear testimony from Guantanamo attorney, Thomas Wilner, in the trial of 34 Americans arrested while acting on behalf of Guantanamo detainees at the U.S. Supreme Court on January 11, 2008. Judge Gardner ruled that Wilner’s testimony was unnecessary” and “not relevant” to make a determination.

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Anti-Torture Activists Convicted

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 29, 2008 - 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 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.

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"Guantanamo's Day in Court" James Carroll's Boston Globe Column

TOMORROW a number of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay will finally get their day in court - although, alas, not literally. Thirty-five Americans who were arrested at the US Supreme Court last January during a demonstration protesting the illegal detention center will go on trial in Washington. They are charged with "causing a harangue." Instead of entering their own names, each defendant will enter the name of a prisoner held at Guantanamo. Father Bill Pickard, a Catholic priest from Pennsylvania, will identify himself as Faruq Ali Ahmed. "He cannot do it himself," Pickard says, "so I am called by my faith, my respect for the rule of law, and my conscience to do it for him."

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