From the Archive
Hunger Strike – Day 203
Dear Friends:
Over 90 days have passed since President Obama’s second promise to close Guantanamo. Thirty-six men remain on Hunger Strike in Guantanamo, with thirty-two being force fed twice a day. Sadly, this is who we are.
But it is within our collective power to stop it.
Our Rolling Fast continues in solidarity with these men – calling for Guantanamo to be closed. WE NEED FOLKS TO SIGN UP FOR SEPTEMBER. See below for information on how to participate.
Also, from September 4-6, Witness Against Torture & CloseGitmo.net invite you to three events in Washington, DC. Please join us on Sept. 6in front of the White House, as our friend and colleague Andrés Thomas Conteris – on Day 61 of his own water-only fast, undergoes a simulated force feeding. More information below on all of the Sept 4-6 events.
And finally, please SAVE THE DATES: Dec. 9 & Jan. 6-13 (also more information below).
We will close with a note recently received from Moath al-Alwi – imprisoned in Guantanamo and a participant in the Hunger Strike:
“We thank all of those who stand in solidarity with our hunger strike, those who support us, inside and outside America.”
Peace-
Matt Daloisio
for Witness Against Torture
VIGIL & FORCE-FEEDING SIMULATION
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6, 12pm @ the WHITE HOUSE
A weekly vigil at the White House has been focusing on the Guantanamo Hunger Strike since February, 2013. On Sept. 6, after fasting on water-only for 61 days in solidarity with hunger striking prisoners in Guantanamo and California Prisons, Andrés Thomas Conteris will be fed with nasogastric tubes to show how prisoners are force-fed twice daily in Guantánamo.
Forced-feeding has been classified as torture by human rights organizations and is denounced by the American Medical Association. This torture is perpetrated twice daily against Gitmo prisoners and is allowed to continue as long as it is kept in the shadows, hidden from public view. This feeding will not only be done to ensure Andrés can stay alive, but will reveal in the light of day how U.S. policy practices torture.
Live streaming at White House provided by Witness Against Torture:http://www.ustream.tv/user/witnesstorture
Live Tweets @witnesstorture
R.S.V.P. and info: http://septactions.splashthat.com
More information: info@CloseGitmo.net www.CloseGitmo.net
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 – DIANE WILSON ON TRIAL
Diane Wilson, co-founder of CodePink and member of Veterans for Peace, fasted 57 days on water and then scaled the fence of the White House on June 26, 2013, International Day for Victims of Torture.
Diane’s jury trial will take place Thursday & Friday, September 5-6, at 9:30AM at the DC District Court. Please come support Diane at her jury trial which may extend into the following week. Wear orange clothing or jumpsuits and bring signs.
Where: District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Ave NW
When: Thurs. September 5, 2013, 9:30AM
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4 – BUSBOYS & POETS EVENING EVENT
CloseGitmo.net: Close Guantánamo & End U.S.-sponsored Torture came together as a group of organizations in solidarity with hunger strikers at the U.S. Navy Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp and those in prisons in California supporting the 5 Core Demands of prisoners at Pelican Bay. Key allies are Codepink, Witness Against Torture, Veterans for Peace, and Nonviolence International.
Join us for a social event with speakers, music & poetry at Busboys & Poets at 14& V, NW in DC on Wednesday, September 47-9pm. We will distribute Orange Ribbons and encourage people to donate to the
campaign to encourage 2.7 million people to wear them. More info at OrangeRibbons.net
WITNESS AGAINST TORTURE ROLLING FAST
Give up food for a day as part of Witness Against Torture’s ROLLING FAST. Over 200 people have participated by fasting for some period of time since the Guantanamo Hunger Strike began. Sign up for one day, or more. Sign up as a community or as an office! Click on the link above or simply send an email to witnesstorture@gmail.com to sign up. Download and send this letter to a man detained in Guantánamo. The men on Hunger Strike know of, and very much appreciate our collective efforts at solidarity.
SAVE THE DATE(S)
December 9-11, 2013: Witness Against Torture activists on Trial in Washington DC for arrests at the White House on Day 100 of the Hunger Strike
January 6-13, 2013: Witness Against Torture FAST FOR JUSTICE – an 8 day fast & daily actions focused on Guantanamo in Washington, DC.
to rsvp, or for more information, email witnesstorture@gmail.com
WITNESS AGAINST TORTURE SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Facebook page has been getting more and more traffic, and some weeks has reached over 200,000 people. This is only possible when people like, share, and comment on posts. Please ‘like’ us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/witnesstorture & Follow Us on Twitter
Post any pictures of your local activities to Flickr, and we will help spread the word on Tumblr
DONATE
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.
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