12-22-2006, 05:38 AM
In the work to shut down Guantánamo, there is a part to be played by lawyers and human rights advocates. What is the role of the citizen? To stand up on behalf of the victims of the war on terrorism. On January 11, many of us will do that through nonviolent direct action, creatively challenging a system of laws that offer no justice.
CALL TO ACTION
We declare January 11, 2007, five years after the first prisoners arrived at Guantanamo, an International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo. In Washington, DC we will hold a permitted march from the Supreme Court to the U.S. Federal Court; some may risk arrest they attempt to submit Habeas petitions on the behalf of the prisoners of Guantánamo. There will also be solidarity demonstrations from Amsterdam to Boise, Idaho and a National Call-In Day to Congress. We invite you to come to Washington and participate, or else join or plan an action in your own community.
JOIN US IN WASHINGTON, DC
Thursday, January 11, 10:00am. Gather at Upper Senate Park ( intersection of Delaware & Constitution Avenues, NE).
The day involves several elements:
"Prisoners of Guantánamo March." A provocative street theater performance involving people wearing orange jump suits, black hoods and chains, and bearing the name of a man imprisoned at Guantánamo. We will march in an orderly silent procession hauntingly evoking the moral disgrace that is Guantánamo. With your help, we will form a prisoner contingent including as many protesters as there are prisoners.
Nonviolent Direct Action. Following the march to the Federal Court, we encourage members of the prisoner contingent to risk arrest attempting to deliver motions on prisoners' behalf to the Court. To participate, please consider attending an orientation meeting on Wednesday night at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church ( 1525 Newton Street, NW) or come early to Upper Senate Park for an orientation and rehersal at 9:30am. Please let us know in advance if you are willing to participate in either the Prisoners Contingent, Nonviolent Direct Action, or both. Email jan11@witnesstorture.org.
Vigil & Rally. Those not participating in nonviolent direct action will vigil outside the Federal Court in a permitted rally involving street theater, puppets and a litany...as more hooded and suited prisoners wait for their day in court.
Teach-in. There will be a Teach-In on Guantánamo, Law and Justice at Georgetown Law School starting at 6:30pm.
Press Conference. In addition to the above activities organized by Witness Against Torture, the Center for Constitutional Rights and Amnesty USA are organizing a press conference that will take place on the steps of the Supreme Court at 10:30am.
Congressional Call-In Day. Visit www.witnesstorture.org/callin for details on how to contact your members of Congress on January 11th to demand an end to torture and indefinite detention.
For up-to-date details visit www.witnesstorture.org.
D.C. LOGISTICS
Housing for people attending the January 11 action will be available at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church. People risking arrest who have special needs and require a bed please let us know.
Food will be served on January 10 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's. A light breakfast will be served on January 11 from 7:00-8:00 a.m.
Directions to St. Stephen's Church and Upper Senate Park, and information about rides to D.C., are available at www.witnestorture.org/logistics.
Legal support will be available. See www.witnestorture.org/legal.
Consider bringing hoods & orange jumpsuits if you have them. Let us know if you do.
Donate online or send a check made out to "Witness Against Torture" to Mary House Catholic Worker, 55 E. Third Street, New York, NY 10003.
JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF LOCAL VIGILS - ATTEND OR ORGANIZE AN ACTION IN YOUR COMMUNITY
If you can't join us in Washington D.C., please consider attending or organizing a vigil, march or a public forum in your community. Actions are currently planned in Amsterdam, Holland; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Illinois; Corvallis, Oregon; Dublin, Ireland; Duluth, Minnesota; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Humboldt County, CA; London, UK; Managua, Nicaragua; Miami, Florida; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; San Francisco, CA; Saratoga Springs, NY; Sydney, Australia; and Syracuse, New York.
Visit www.WitnessTorture.org for up-to-date details about solidarity events, as well as to find ideas for actions, to post to our calendar, or to download flyers and other resources.
WHO WE ARE
One year ago Witness Against Torture drew international attention after it walked to Guantanamo to visit the prisoners. Upon its return, the group has organized vigils, marches, nonviolent direct actions and educational events to expose and decry the administration's lawlessness, build awareness about torture and indefinite detention, and forge human ties with the prisoners at Guantánamo and their families.
Some of the organizations endorsing the Jan 11 Day of Action include:
Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Center for Constitutional Rights
CodePink
DC Anti-War Network
Declaration of Peace
Global Exchange
International Federation for Human Rights
National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance
Pax Christi USA
Peace Action
Torture Abolition and Survivors Coalition
United for Peace and Justice
War Resisters League
For more information go to www.WitnessTorture.org