From the Archive

Fast for Justice 2013: Day 7

Dear Friends,

We hope you all enjoyed a nourishing meal today and are feeling renewed. For those of us in D.C., the breaking of the fast followed a vigil at the CIA organized by a local chapter of Pax Christi and others. This was WAT’s second time bringing the presence of jumpsuit and hood to the CIA and many were pleasantly surprised by the favorable response of those passing by. Not far from the CIA, a very different organization welcomed us. With weary bodies and growling stomachs we stumbled over to the Langley Hill Friends Community for a sumptuous pot-luck style fast-breaking meal.

After eating many of us gave into the temptation for a nap — but the day was not over yet. This afternoon Luke H. offered a presentation and answered questions about his time in Guantanamo, covering the pre-trial proceedings of the military commissions for America Magazine. Learning about the proceedings stirred up many questions, not least among them: how do we engage with this new development in the Guantanamo saga? It was with questions of this nature that we engaged our final circle; asking what’s next, giving thanks, and encouraging one another to grow in creativity, courage and community.

Art L. brought our time together to a close by sharing the history of the musical coda that has become our constant refrain, “Courage, Muslim brother…” This turns out to be a fragment of a song that was written by Eric Bogle in response to stories he heard about how prisoners of apartheid in South Africa would sing in order to strengthen the spirits of those who were being led to execution. Art sang the verses and led us in learning the chorus:

Chains, chains, chains
How many souls have died in freedom’s name
To some it is a way of life, to others just a word
To some it is a snow-white dove, to some a bloody sword
But until the last chains fall,
Freedom will make slaves of us all.
(Click here to watch a performance of the song)

Later in the evening, as we were watching projected images of Guantanamo detainees, interlaced with video of Obama’s failed promise to close it and animation of an unraveled flag (http://luminousintervention.org/home), we were approached by a man on the street. He entertained us with an array of knowledge, “name any country” he would say, and then spout the facts he’d absorbed about it. “It’s not education that’s knowledge, it’s to remember,” he said, “when you’re humble, you can retain.”

May we humbly remember, and continually remind ourselves, each other, and our society that freedom is not just a word, nor is it a way of life meant only for a few. As Beth B. reflected earlier in the week, “our liberation is bound up in the liberation of all.” So brothers and sisters, let us remain steadfast until indeed “the last chains fall.”

With full hearts and full stomachs,
Witness Against Torture

In This Update

1) Presence at the CIA, by Chrissy Nesbitt
2) Fast Breaking, by Chantal DeAlcuaz
3) Luke Hansen’s Guantanamo Presentation, by Dan Wilson
4) Afghan Peace Volunteers Call with Kathy Kelly and Martha Hennessy, by Ted Nee Walker

Links

5) “Does It Pay to Keep Fighting Guantanamo?” by Jake Olzen for Waging Nonviolence
6) “Two Thumbs Down for Torture” by Frida Berrigan for Waging Nonviolence
7) “Please Write to the Forgotten Prisoners in Guantanamo…” by Andy Worthington
8) “John Brennan, Sami Al-Hajj and the Blight of Guantanamo” by Amy Goodman for CommonDreams
9) “Eleven Years On: Being Imprisoned at Guantanamo Worse Than Being Confined by Totalitarian State” by Kevin Gosztola

Presence at the CIA

by Chrissy Nesbitt

Our final procession of this week ended in front of the gates of the CIA. We stood silently in orange jumpsuits and hoods in the entry road — which was already closed to traffic in anticipation of our arrival — and we faced the traffic that drove by. A few police officers stood behind us, observing.

Sometimes I feel that our line of orange jumpsuits shows the sorrow and suffering of the men at Guantanamo. At other times, I attribute a more defiant message to our marches. By bringing these men’s presence to Washington D.C., we are saying that they will not be silenced. The injustice done at Guantánamo is not invisible. It is here, parading the streets. No chains can bind the truth, and no prison wall is high enough to block the flow of compassion and the reality of human connectedness.

Today as we blocked the CIA gates, I imagined that we represented the men killed at Guantánamo, Bagram, and CIA black sites. I imagined them standing in the roadway refusing people entry and saying, “No more. I cannot let you do to any other human being what you did to me. I am here to stand between your violence and the lives of my precious brothers and sisters.”

There was a wonderful program of speakers and song today. Malachy Kilbride of Witness Against Torture Northern Virginians for Peace & Justice spoke first, and emphasized the connection between torture and armed drones, and how John Brennan, nominated for the position of CIA director, embodies the push for both. Katie Murphy, a D.C. high school teacher, brought one of her students with her and told the story of a group of students spending time together on a beautiful day, and becoming the victims of a drone attack. Art Laffin of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker read a passage from the book of Isaiah and asked us to remember those in jail and prison for resisting drones, especially Ellen and Clare Grady, Rae Kramer, and Brian Terrell. Andy Worthington, British journalist and author and expert on Guantanamo, talked about the dangerous vision of the world as a battlefield, and how completely our government has embraced this vision now across multiple administrations. Debra Sweet of World Can’t Wait spoke of the urgent need to fight against empire and economic domination. Carmen Trotta invited the police to join us in rejecting the policies of the CIA. And finally Nancy Mancias of Code Pink spoke about the nationwide coalition that has been resisting drones ever since the first hints emerged of the drone program’s existence.

Between speakers, there was song. We sang “Peace, Salaam, Shalom” and “One by One,” by Emma’s Revolution, as well as “Who Will Speak if We Don’t,” and “Dona Nobis Pacem.”

The frequency of CIA drone strikes is increasing, not decreasing. At least 40 people have already been killed by CIA drones since January 1st of this year. Luke Nephew’s question echoes in our hearts: “If I love living, how can I not protest your dying?”

Breaking the Fast

by Chantal DeAlcuaz

“Our life was indeed beautiful, with work, with song, with worship, with feastings and fastings.” – Dorothy Day, Loaves and Fishes

The Langley Hill Friends community graciously hosted our fast-breaking meal this afternoon. When we walked into their welcoming space we were immediately struck by the intoxicating smell of food – food that for the first time in a week, we would be able to eat! Before we took our first bite, John invited us to pause and consider the food before us: where it came from and the way it would nourish us. For me, the experience of eating after a fast is overwhelming. In addition to the intense, sorely missed flavors, I appreciate the experience of chewing (!), and it seems that I can literally feel the food as it travels toward my empty, grateful stomach. As we had come from the vigil at the CIA, a larger community of activists from DC and northern Virginia joined us for our meal. As the WAT community paused from our work for a joyful meal together, I was keenly aware of conversations around drones and further protest. These discussions were a poignant reminder that though we pause to celebrate, our work will undoubtedly continue. I am likely not alone in the piece of sadness that accompanies eating. For our community, breaking the fast signals that our time together is nearly over. Through these days of fasting our bodies ache and our minds lose focus, yet, as Beth A. remarked this evening in our closing circle, “our fast nourishes us.” We will miss this community – both for the people we are with and for who we ourselves become in this circle. Through the discipline of fasting we simultaneously increase our capacity to feast. May the joy of feasting with one another deeply nourish us, strengthening our resolve for the ongoing struggle.

Witnessing the Military Commissions: A Reflection on Luke Hansen’s Presentation

by Dan Wilson

Hours after we completed the fast (and minutes after I ate a hotdog from a D.C. hotdog stand) Luke Hanson shared with us about his visit to Guantanamo. In October Luke went down to Guantanamo to report for the Catholic publication America. Originally planning to cover the televised proceedings at Ft. Mead, he was invited to go down to Guantanamo to see the trials firsthand. Arriving there he went through a barrage of checkpoints, multiple security briefings, and an unimaginable amount of barbed wire fences. Guantanamo bay has multiple camps for media, for the trials, for housing, and for detention. The camps for housing were nearly four miles away from the ones used for detention and the camp for the trials is named, “Camp Justice.”

Luke was allowed to watch the trial in the courtroom through soundproof glass or via live-feed in a separate press room. Because reporters in the court room could bring only a piece of paper (a pen would be provided by security), many journalists opted for the press room where they had access to laptops and internet. There was a CIA classified information expert that was present that muted any conversations containing information deemed classified. Within the courtroom itself, the walls were lined with detention officers throughout all of the proceedings. During one part of the trial the defendant Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the judge, “There is no justice in this court.”

After hearing all of this I was shocked at the amount of security that there is at Guantanamo Bay. The majority of men detained there are not criminals and are not dangerous. The extreme amount of security almost seems like an attempt for the Government to legitimize their original claim that Guantanamo was for the “worst of the worst.” I could not help but think that the men at Guantanamo should be the ones being protected by this amount of security, not bearing the brunt
of it. Some have noted that allowing journalists access to these trials (albeit limited) is an attempt at legitimizing the military commissions. These trials are not only unjust but serve to create the façade that Guantanamo is a place for justice, all the while forgetting that it has been a place for torture, that it still is a place for wrongful detention, and that it should be the administrators going to trial, not the detainees.

Like most of my reflections about GTMO I was filled with feelings of confusion and sorrow for the institutions our government chooses to uphold and promote. It is important to remember that things are never black and white; such classifications are what led us to Guantanamo in the first place. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has claimed responsibility to horrible acts of violence across the world. He has also been water-boarded 180 times during his stay at Guantanamo. Though the trials feel like an attempt to legitimize an unjust institution, the military lawyers representing the defendants have done an astounding amount of work to speak out against Guantanamo and to also fight for their clients.

Hearing Luke speak about his time at Guantanamo prompted Witness Against Torture to once again examine how we work in our resistance. Do we participate as spectators and reporters in their trials, which may in some way legitimize them, but also give us the ability to better speak out against their cruelty — or do we refuse to participate in any way and find other paths of engagement? Regardless of our answer, we are all thankful for the great work that Luke has done and encouraged by his dedication to the detained men and to learning and sharing the truth of the machinations of the systems that have created and sustain the detention center.

To read Luke’s writing from his time at Guantanamo click here.

For Carol Rosenberg’s in depth reporting on all things Guantanamo, click here.

Maps of the military base at Guantanamo can be seen here.

Phone call with Hakim, the Afghan Peace Volunteers, Kathy Kelly and Martha
Hennessy – Washington DC/ Kabul, Afghanistan

by Ted Nee Walker

After we returned home from our day of demonstrations marking the 11th anniversary of Guantánamo detention center, we were able to make a phone connection with Kathy and Martha, both of whom have been an integral part of the WAT fasts in DC in years past. They have been in Kabul, Afghanistan for almost a month now, working with the Afghan Youth Volunteers organized by Hakim. In 2009, Hakim and the young men (now there are women too) contacted Kathy Kelly and Witness Against Torture and we shared an awe-inspiring video/phone call with them. Since then, Kathy Kelly has developed the relationship with this courageous group and has visited and worked with them many times.

During our phone conversation last night, we quickly passed from joyous greetings and the general amazement of hearing each other’s voices to listening to personal accounts from the young men. Translated by Hakim, we heard story after story of family members being disappeared or thrown into prison, without charge or trial for four or five years. They told of such corruption in the prison system that the release of the family members is only contingent on bribery. Also, the young men spoke about the latest negotiations between President Karzai and President Obama for the withdrawal of the US troops. They did not hold much hope, saying, “It makes no difference. US forces or Afghan forces, they both do not bring justice.”

When we asked them the question that we have been asking ourselves these past days – What will bring about change? They responded, “It is very difficult in this situation. The only option is for the people of Afghanistan to come together, unite, and demand accountability. The people must band together.” Yes, we are all brothers and sisters, and our lives are intimately interconnected. We reiterated over the phone that we too, here in the United States, are trying to unite and work toward accountability. And we concluded by thanking them for sharing their stories. Just as we carry with us the stories of the men detained at Guantánamo, so too will we share the stories of the Afghan Peace Volunteers.

This morning at the CIA vigil, Judith Kelly, who had recently visited this group in Afghanistan, spoke of their steadfastness in overcoming cultural barriers and fear of war and their courage to live lives of nonviolence. We are so grateful for their friendship, support and solidarity.

For more information and to watch amazing videos of the group, please see the following websites:

ourjourneytosmile.com
www.2millionfriends.org

And below, Kathy Kelly sent us a transcript of a recent interview of Raz Mohammad, an Afghan Peace Volunteer, with questions prepared by Maya Evans of Voices for Creative Non Nonviolence UK.

Afghan Peace Volunteer Says Drones Bury Beautiful Lives

By Hakim and the Afghan Peace Volunteers
11th Jan 2013

Raz Mohammad: Salam ‘aleikum. I am Raz Mohammad. I’m from Maidan Wardak province and I’m Pashtun.

Kathy Kelly: Raz Mohmmad, what do you think about drones?
Raz Mohammad: I think drones are not good. I remember how, in my village, a drone attack killed my brother-in-law and four of his friends. It was truly sad. A beautiful life was buried and the sound of crying and sorrow arose from peaceful homes. I say that this is inhumane. Today, the idea of humanity has been forgotten. Why do we spend money like this? Why don’t we use an alternative way? The international community says that drones are used to kill the Taliban. This is not true. We should see the truth. Today, it’s hard to find the truth and no one listens to the people.

Kathy Kelly: How have drones impacted Wardak, Afghanistan?
Raz Mohammad: Drones have a negative impact on the lives of the people of Wardak and other provinces in Afghanistan, because drones don’t bring peace. They kill human beings. Drones bring nothing but bombs. They burn the lives of the people. People can’t move around freely. In the nights, people are afraid. Drones don’t improve people’s lives, they limit the people’s lives. The people are not happy with drones. When they hear the sound of drones, they feel sad. Those who live in Kabul and those who live in the provinces especially in Pashtun areas feel differently about drones. Those in Kabul don’t feel the pain of those in the provinces where there’s war and family members are being killed. It is those families of victims who should be asked and whose voices should be heard.

Kathy Kelly: Are drones making Afghanistan safer?
Raz Mohammad: No. Drones don’t protect the people of Afghanistan. Instead, drones kill the people of Afghanistan. You hear in the news and reports that every day, families, children and women are killed. Do you call this safety?

Kathy Kelly: Is there a mental impact on Afghans from the presence of drones?
Raz Mohammad: Yes, drones have a negative impact on the mind. For me, when I go home, I recall the incident with my brother-in-law which affected me a lot and changed my life. I don’t have a peaceful mind. When I’m home and study at night, my father & mother are very worried and tell me not to stay up too late because they may make a mistake and bomb the house. When my younger brother knows of a drone incident, he says he won’t go to school or get out of bed early today because the drones may come. See, how it affects the mind of a 5 or 8 year-old child.

Kathy Kelly: What do you think about the use of drones after the 2014 withdrawal?
Raz Mohammad: I think that the use of drones today or in 2014 is inappropriate. Why has the international community sent drones to wage war in Afghanistan? Why have we forgotten the concepts of humanity and the love of humanity? War is not a solution. We can see this from the past 30 years of war in Afghanistan. Wars bring killing and enmity. Drones after 2014 will cause enmity between Pashtuns, Tajiks and Hazaras because those in government use the people for their own benefit. For their own power and lives, they drop bombs on the people, and bring division and inhumanity. As I see it now and after 2014, innocent human beings will be killed.

Kathy Kelly: Do you have any other message to give?
Raz Mohammad: My message to the ordinary people of the world is to listen, and become aware of drone warfare because what international governments say about using drones to kill terrorists is not true. Friends who come here can see that innocent people and women are killed. We should listen to the voices of Afghans and promote and defend humanity and humane relations. My message to the governments of the world is: Why have you forgotten humanity and the love of humanity? You are killing human beings for your own monetary benefit. I demand that this ( drone warfare ) be stopped, especially the spending of so much money on drones in Afghanistan and the killing of so many innocent people. Isn’t it appropriate for you to help the people in alternative ways? We are human beings and are always your friends, thank you.