As we prepare this daily update, folks are trickling back to the church from a Clarification of Thought meeting on Witness Against Torture with our friends at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Laughter is hushed as the lights are turned down, mattresses are spread out in every direction across the floor. Day 4 of our fast is coming to a close.
Continue reading Fast for Justice 2012: Day 4
1 acquitted, 3 found guilty by a jury, charges dropped against 9
Jury Continues to Deliberate on One Case; Sentencing Statements Tomorrow
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three members of Witness Against Torture were found guilty in a jury trial at D.C. Superior Court on January 5, 2012. The jury brought back guilty verdicts in the cases of defendants Brian Hynes of the Bronx, NY, Mike Levinson of New Rochelle, NY, and Carmen Trotta of New York City, NY. By the end of the day on Thursday, the jury remained “truly deadlocked” on the case of defendant Judith Kelly of Arlington, Virginia.
Continue reading Trial Ends for 14 Anti-Torture Activists
Defendant pro se Josie Setzler addresses the judge as the defendants and their attorney advisers look on. Sketch by Deb VanPoolen.
We write to you this evening with the report that the jury found Brian Hynes, Mike Levinson, and Carmen Trotta guilty on all charges, but were “truly deadlocked” by the end of the day concerning Judith Kelly. The jury was sent home and will resume in the morning.
Continue reading Fast for Justice 2012: Day 3
Press conference before the second day of the trial. Photo by Paki Weiland.
Continue reading Fast for Justice 2012: Day 2
A jury trial for five anti-torture activists begins on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 in D.C. Superior Court before Judge Fisher on a charge of unlawful conduct.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Our strategy is to put Guantánamo on trial,” says Josie Setzler, a human rights advocate and grandmother from Ohio, “to demand action from our elected Representatives and our President, to see Guantánamo shut down and this travesty ended.”
Continue reading Occupy the Courtroom: Activists Put Guantánamo on Trial
Dear Friends,
In its opening statement of our court trial, the government repeatedly insisted that “this was not the time and place” – not the time to present our grievances against the continuation (or, as is recently evident, perpetuation) of Guantánamo, not the forum for debating these issues. And yet we maintain that now is always the time and place to speak out against Guantánamo.
Continue reading Fast for Justice 2012: Day 1
Marking 10th anniversary of Guantánamo, events to include 10-day fast, courtroom support for activists who spoke out in congress, and a human chain from the White House to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — January 11 will mark the tenth anniversary of the first detainees’ arrival at the U.S.-controlled detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. To remember this travesty, Witness Against Torture is planning 10 days of activities in Washington, D.C. demanding an end to torture and indefinite detention at Guantánamo, Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and that the president reject the just-passed National Defense Authorization Act.
Continue reading Anti-Torture Activists to Occupy Washington, January 2nd-12th
