From the Archive
As Hunger Strike Enters Third Month 25 Prominent Human Rights Organizations Pen Letter to Obama Urging Swift Closure of Guantánamo
Contact: Jen Nessel, Center for Constitutional Rights, +1.212.614.6449, press@ccrjustice.org
Matthew Harwood, American Civil Liberties Union, +1.202.715.0834, media@dcaclu.org
Brad Robideau, Center for Victims of Torture, +1.612.436.4886, brobideau@cvt.org
Brenda Bowser Soder, Human Rights First, 202.370.3323, bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org
As Guantánamo Hunger Strike Continues, Activists Rally Nationwide for “Day of Action to Close Guantánamo & End Indefinite Detention”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Day of Action: April 11th
Right now, the men detained at the U.S. prison in Guantánamo are engaged in a large-scale hunger strike, which began in early February. Some are now in critical condition. The vast majority of the 166 men have been held for more than 11 years without any charge or fair trial, with no end to their detention in sight. The Obama administration must take swift measures to humanely address the immediate causes of the hunger strike and fulfill its promise to close Guantánamo without further delay.
New WAT Rolling Fast Participation
April 22nd Action: Emergency Response
When: Monday, April 22, 2013 1-2:30pm
Where: Foley Square, NYC
What: Response to the escalating hunger strike in Guantanamo
This weekend saw the largest jump in the ‘official’ numbers of men on Hunger Strike in Guantanamo since the Military acknowledged the strike beginning. The Military now confirms 84 men on Hunger Strike, with 16 being force fed and 5 in the hospital.
Hunger Strike Solidarity Fast: Day 7
***As the Guantanamo Hunger Strike enters it’s 53rd day, we are committed to continuing a “rolling fast” in solidarity***
Hunger Strike Solidarity Fast: Day 6
Guantánamo prisoner hunger strike day 51
Just as the heart beats in the darkness of the body,
so I, despite this cage, continue to beat with life.Hunger Strike Solidarity Fast: Day 5
Guantánamo prisoner hunger strike day 50
The Witness Against Torture fasters’ phone call took place tonight, with people calling in from Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York, North Carolina, and West Virginia. It was a joyful, strengthening time together, but nonetheless one theme that arose was a sense of worry – dread that after fifty days and no signs of a willingness to negotiate by the military, the hunger strike does not have an end in sight.
Many fasters reflected on their lack of energy, feeling cold, feeling the challenge of completing daily tasks, and how much they needed the support of others. And yet, continuing from day four to day five of the fast is so minor compared to what it must take for the prisoners to continue from day forty-nine to day fifty. Chris K. shared, “I do feel worried; but also I really admire and feel moved by the resistance that is being practiced by the prisoners in Guantanamo, and I’m reflecting on that as I go through the day.”
Hunger Strike Solidarity Fast: Day 4
Guantánamo prisoner hunger strike day 49
As the definition of marriage has been debated by the Supreme Court in the last two days, many of us have been thinking of family, how we define family, and what our families mean to us. Below is a letter from Johina Aamer to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, testifying to how precious her family is to her. Johina’s father is Shaker Aamer, a British citizen held at Guantánamo, a victim of torture and extraordinary rendition. Also included in today’s update is a beautiful reflection from New York, written by Amy.
Hunger Strike Solidarity Fast: Day 3
Guantánamo prisoner hunger strike day 48
Dear friends,
Peace to you all, and I hope that your fast is bearing fruit in your life and your community. A fellow faster from Nashville, TN sends this spirited check-in:
Day one of my fast (Monday) was fine. My stomach is a weird thing. If I tell myself I am fasting for a cause, I don’t seem to get hungry at all; but, if there is no cause, I stay hungry all the time. That tells me that hunger is largely in my mind.
