From the Archive
Newsletter: Join us in Cleveland, No Separate Justice, More
Dear Friends,
Witness Against Torture continues to engage in the work of our home communities: building connections and widening the circle. Currently, we are busy preparing for our annual planning meeting and retreat for the weekend of April 10th. If you are planning on coming, please let us know. We are also excited to announce that we have joined the No Separate Justice Campaign and will be collaborating on the August 3rd vigil outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City. In Washington, DC, Witness Against Torture Member, Helen Schietinger, was arrested for standing up and reminding the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the “The United States is killing innocent people with drones.” As our work continues and grows, we hope that you will continue to support us through your participation and/or donations.
Thanks,
Witness Against Torture
Witness Against Torture gathers in Cleveland, Ohio! You are invited!
When: Friday Morning, April 10th, to Sunday Afternoon, April 12th, 2015
Where: Cleveland, Ohio.
This January, we came together in Washington D.C. to remind the nation of the plight of our brothers who continue to endure the brutality of Guantanamo. We took action in front of the White House, at the Pentagon, Union Station, CIA Headquarters, and Dick Cheney’s and John Brennan’s houses. We also connected Guantanamo and indefinite detention to U.S. police brutality and domestic racism. We partnered with local activists, bringing the message, “Ferguson 2 Guantanamo; White Silence = State Violence” to the U.S. Capitol building and D.C. Police headquarters. We were inspired, strengthened, stretched, and reminded of both our power and responsibility to fight torture, racism, and other injustices.
This spring, we want to gather to continue to strengthen our community, deepen our relationships, clarify our analysis, make more connections and think strategically about how to close Guantanamo.
The Witness Against Torture Community will therefore hold strategic planning and community building retreat from April 10th -12th in Cleveland, Ohio. We are currently in the process of planning the details of the weekend, but it will be a time of reflecting and planning. Please consider joining us!
Space is limited, so we need to know if you are interested in attending. If you can attend, please RSVP by April 3rd to witnesstorture@gmail.com.
Witness Against Torture joins the No Separate Justice Campaign
The human rights and civil rights abuses taking place in the military prison at Guantanamo Bay have, rightly, been placed under a spotlight by people of conscience around the world. Some believe that if only those detained at Guantanamo could be transferred to American soil, to be held and tried as civilians, the abuses would end and justice would be done.
Yet many of the same abuses can be found in the hundreds of “war on terror” cases that have been processed through courtrooms and federal prisons across the United States since 9/11. These abuses–which include inhumane conditions of confinement both pre- and post-trial; secret evidence; intrusive surveillance; vague material support charges; FBI-created plots brought into communities through paid informants; and the criminalization of Islamic speech and association–remain largely invisible.
The mission of the No Separate Justice campaign is to place these abuses, taking place in prisons and courtrooms across the United States, firmly on the agendas of human and civil right organizations, the media, and the U.S. public through education and activism that draws directly upon the experiences and voices of those most directly affected.
Contact Jeremy Varon at jvaron@aol.com to get involved in the August 3rd Vigil.
“Not Another Useless Military Fiasco” Letter to John Kerry from members of Witness Against Torture
On March 11, 2015, top administration officials appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to beg for a new and improved Authorization of the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Helen Schietinger attended with Code Pink to provide another perspective, holding up signs saying Another Useless Military Fiasco. Helen was arrested when she contributed to the testimony, “The United States is killing innocent people with drones.” Here’s an open letter from Helen and Jeremy Varon to Secretary Kerry responding to what he said at the hearing.
Click here to read the full letter
Friday Fast for Justice:
We invite you to join us in our Friday Fast for Justice in solidarity with our brothers in Guantanamo. Individuals who sign up are asked to fast—in any form they like—on Friday, make phone calls to government officials, contribute a photo to our social media campaign, and write a letter to a prisoner at Guantánamo. Those who sign up will get more specific instructions via email.
More than 50 people regularly participate in our Friday Fast for Justice. We’d love to have more!
Witness Against Torture on Social Media:
Please “like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter & Instagram
Check out our latest news and updates on Tumblr.
Post any pictures of your local activities to our flicker account and we will help spread the word.
Donate to support our work:
Witness Against Torture is completely volunteer driven and run. We have no paid staff, but do have expenses associated with our organizing work. If you are able, please donate here. www.witnesstorture.org
Join us on social media