From the Archive

16 Arrested in Actions Against Torture, Trump’s Cabinet Nominees

Clad in orange jumpsuits and “Shut Down Guantánamo” t-shirts, activists with Witness Against Torture took over the Hart Senate Building with a message for senators, staffers, and the general public. They marked the 15th anniversary of the opening of the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.  

Day 6 Update: “You Can Have a Heart and You Can Stop This Torture Now”

Day 6 of the fast was “Pentagon Monday” and brought an early morning and cold temperatures. The lights turned on at 5:30am to allow our 30 plus people to wake up, get dressed, and travel to join the Dorothy Day House weekly vigil at the Pentagon. We brought the men in Guantanamo with us as we held vigil in the bitter cold. We spoke their words as the police stood watch and employees rushed pass. It is hard to judge the impact of our presence but there is something important about witnessing at the center of U.S. war making.

Day 5 Update: Hope in a Time Like Ours

“Hope in a Time Like Ours.”

Day 4 Update: Hope Is a Discipline

“Hope is a discipline.”– Mariame Kaba

Day 3 Update: Loving Persistent Resistance

This morning’s reflection led by Matt Bereza focused on the unseen laws that govern energy and the transfer of energy. In the 1600s a scientist named Leibniz developed a mathematical formula that came to be known as the Law of Conservation. Essentially, this law states that what is taken will be filled—this thought later gave rise to the laws thermodynamics.  While mathematical in nature, these theories can also be seen as philosophical. This morning we meditated on those things we have lost—food, our own space, time, and control over the thermostat. After contemplation, several members of the group responded with what has been conserving their energy.  Most notably, members of the circle spoke about community and the presence of others as nourishing.

Day 2 Update : An Invitation to Witness

At our morning gathering, we reflected on terrors experienced by people bearing the brunt of militarism, racism, and materialism. We reminded ourselves of Dr. Martin Luther King’s warning of these three giant triplets of evil. Kathy Kelly shared the moving story of a young man who escaped the bombing of a hospital in Afghanistan, which helped illustrate these words of caution made by Dr. King so many years ago.

Fast for Justice Day 1: Forgiveness Demands Accountability

Witness Against Torture’s Fast for Justice Begins

Fast for Justice Schedule January 2017

FAST FOR JUSTICE 2017
Daily Schedule (Draft, Our schedule will change throughout the week.)

All activities are happening at First Trinity Lutheran Church unless otherwise mentioned.

January 11th: Call to Action

No More Guantanamo. No Torture Presidency.  No Indefinite Detention

Join Witness Against Torture and our coalition partners on January 11th in Washington DC. for our annual rally to close Guantanamo!

Location: Supreme Court
11:30: Rally
12:30: March to Senate Buildings