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2023 DC Fast for Justice

J11 ’23: We’re still here because they’re still there!

January 11, 2023 begins the third decade that Guantanamo has been open. We remain in solidarity with the men who suffer in Guantanamo and those former detainees still suffering outside Guantanamo.  Witness Against Torture has called out their names since 2005. 

For the first time since 2020, Witness Against Torture will converge on Washington, DC to publicly call on President Biden and Congress to close Guantanamo now and bring justice for Guantanamo survivors**!

WAT press release

**Learn about the Guantanamo Survivors Fund.

We will meet in the Shalom Room at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation.**
222 East Capitol St NE, Washington DC 20003 (Note: there’s no housing here.)
A hostel** elsewhere has limited space for people to stay: email WAT to see if there’s still space. 
**We ask that everyone be vaccinated; Masks are required in both spaces.

Here’s the schedule:
Fri Jan 6-8: Fast at home; Fri evening Zoom call (email WAT for the link)

Mon Jan 9: 7 am: Pentagon Vigil
1 pm: Meet with legislators
2:00 pm: Public procession in jumpsuits in Capitol area
5:00 pm: Circle at church
8:00 pm: Zoom call. Email WAT for link.

Tue Jan 10: 
9 am: Circle at church
1 pm: At church, Zoom call with Andy Worthington
Public witness: TBD
6 pm: At church, Speaker panel – James Yee, Maha Hilal in person, Mansoor Adayfi by Zoom

Wed Jan 11
8 am: Shalom Room: Circle, Break Fast
                      1 pm: White House Vigil
                      4 pm:  Online rally


Rallies Around the U.S.

Washington DC Vigil
Wed Jan 11, 1 pm ET 
White House
Organized by WAT and National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Los Angeles Rally
Close Guantanamo Rally
Wed Jan 11, noon to 1:30 pm PT
Downtown LA Federal Building, N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles CA
Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQIBAeLmtFo
Organized by Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace

New York Rally
Wed Jan 11,  4 – 6 pm ET
New York Public Library (On the Steps)
5th Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018 
Action Network linkFacebook link
Organized by World Can’t Wait

Northampton, MA Vigil and March
Wed Jan 11, start time 12 noon.
Begin at the Hampshire County Courthouse (Main Street between Gothic and King Streets)
Contact ntalanian@nogitmos.org
Organized by No More Guantanamos

Raleigh North Carolina Rally
Wed Jan 11, 12:30  – 1:30 PM
Federal Building at New Bern Avenue and Person Street in Raleigh
Organized by NC Stop Torture Now

Augusta Maine Rally
Sat Jan 14, 1 – 2 pm (snow date Sun 15)
Augusta  Armory, 179 Western Ave
Organized by Pax Christi Maine, Peace Action and others

Berkeley CA Rally
Wed Jan 11, 12 pm PT UC Berkeley Law School press conference

Cleveland, OH Close US Torture Facility Rally
Wed Jan 11, 4 pm CT
Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building
Facebook link

Honolulu HI Rally
Wed Jan 11, 4 pm Hawaii Time
Thomas Square @ King/Ward intersection
Organized by Veterans for Peace Hawai`i, World Can’t Wait Hawai`i

21st Anniversary Virtual Rally: Building our Power to Close Guantánamo
Wed Jan 11, 4 – 5:30 pm ET RSVP and get link


Join us on social media

  • Witness Against Torture on Facebook
  • Witness Against Torture on Twitter
  • Witness Against Torture on Instagram
  • Witness Against Torture on YouTube
  • Witness Against Torture on Tumblr