January 11th - a shameful anniverary

Photo: In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, a detainee whose name, nationality, and facial identification are not permitted, walks within the grounds of the maximum security prison at Camp 5 in the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, June 26, 2006. Lawyers for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay will argue in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the prisoners' detention is unconstitutional, focusing renewed attention on the United States' tarnished human rights record.

REUTERS/Brennan Linsley/Pool

From ACLU:

On January 11, 2002 the first prisoners from Afghanistan arrived at the prison at Guantánamo Bay.

In the six years since, the prison has been a mark of shame for our country. In fact, three years after the military tribunals were first established there, there has yet to be a single trial completed for any person in custody.

Every day that the prison at Guantánamo stays open is an insult to our values and makes a mockery of our commitment to justice and the rule of law.

That’s why on January 11th, the ACLU is leading a nationwide movement calling on people of conscience to wear orange and demand an immediate end to the injustice at Guantánamo Bay. By standing in solidarity we can shift the debate on this national disgrace. So, we’re teaming up with organizations across the country to demand the prison be closed and asking ACLU activists to get involved.

ACLU is asking everyone to wear an orange armband today in honor of our shame for the last six years. I still cannot believe this country kidnaps and imprisons people without charges and trials for years and years on end. This is not the America that I thought I knew.

Also, last month, I and a few friends wrote letters about one of the Guantanamo prisoners – a man named Sami al Hajj. There is more information about the letter writing campaign at this link. (Hope that link still works.)

Amnesty International also supports this work.

Several other actions to mark January 11th - go to Witness Against Torture - they are listed there.

90 were arrested last year in a protest against US Federal District Court in DC. I cannot join them in DC, but I am with them in spirit.

And, if you get the chance, watch the movie THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO. It is about the “Tipton Three” – which is three young men from Britain who were stupid enough to go to Afghanistan (via Pakistan, the country of their birth) in October 2001. They were turned over to the American troops there (the locals got a bounty for turning people over) and imprisoned in Guantanamo for years. They were released without charges or trial or apology. This is a complete mockery of the US Constitution.

And, last but not least, you can help tear down the prison at Guantanamo, one pixel at a time.