Over 1,250 people, mostly in the United States, have pledged to go on hunger strike for at least one 24-hour period in solidarity with those imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp. The pledge was facilitated by the women's anti-war organization CODEPINK, and specifically called on Pres. Obama to free the 86 prisoners already cleared for release. Signatories will make phone calls and/or write to U.S. officials at meal times to express their anger.
Recently, even the U.S. government has admitted that at last 100 of the 166 prisoners are currently on a hunger strike, with at least 20 prisoners being force-fed.
Although Barack Obama campaigned on closing Guantanamo in 2008, he has taken virtually no concrete steps toward doing so. In the last week, the President held a press conference calling for the camp's closure, citing congress' failure to act on his previous proposals. This blame-shifting, however, is simply not good enough for most human rights campaigners. Pardiss Kebriaei, senior staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the following in an appearance last Wednesday on Democracy Now!
"There are things that the president can do on his own in his administration starting now. He can, number one, appoint someone within the White House with the stature and the backing and the authority to get the job done. He said Guantánamo needs to close. It is a national security liability. It is legally unsupportable. It is morally wrong. It is unjust. The world knows it. President Obama knows it. The American people should know it. It needs to close. So, appoint someone to focus on this and lead the effort to closure, signal to his secretary of defense to start certifying people for transfer under the National Defense Authorization Act, and lift the blanket ban that continues on all repatriations to Yemen—that he imposed. That is clearly within his control. So there are specific things he can do now."
Many pledge signatories wrote comments explaining why they are compelled to fast in solidarity with the prisoners.
Jean Kelly of Rochester, New York wrote that she will go on strike, "one day per week... in solidarity with these men who are tortured continually. Their treatment is inhumane."
Gloria Quinones, from El Barrio, New York wrote that she would go on strike "because with love in our hearts and thoughts for the good of all, change happens."
Joe Walsh, of Portland, Oregon wrote: "I am 71, on oxygen full time, I will fast for one day and see. Every time I think of those men in Gitmo I weep."
Click here if you wish to take the pledge. The Hudson Valley Radical is considering organizing a local day of action to close Guantanamo. If you are interested in getting involved, please write a comment for this post or e-mail us at leftunited@gmail.com
Recently, even the U.S. government has admitted that at last 100 of the 166 prisoners are currently on a hunger strike, with at least 20 prisoners being force-fed.
Although Barack Obama campaigned on closing Guantanamo in 2008, he has taken virtually no concrete steps toward doing so. In the last week, the President held a press conference calling for the camp's closure, citing congress' failure to act on his previous proposals. This blame-shifting, however, is simply not good enough for most human rights campaigners. Pardiss Kebriaei, senior staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the following in an appearance last Wednesday on Democracy Now!
"There are things that the president can do on his own in his administration starting now. He can, number one, appoint someone within the White House with the stature and the backing and the authority to get the job done. He said Guantánamo needs to close. It is a national security liability. It is legally unsupportable. It is morally wrong. It is unjust. The world knows it. President Obama knows it. The American people should know it. It needs to close. So, appoint someone to focus on this and lead the effort to closure, signal to his secretary of defense to start certifying people for transfer under the National Defense Authorization Act, and lift the blanket ban that continues on all repatriations to Yemen—that he imposed. That is clearly within his control. So there are specific things he can do now."
Many pledge signatories wrote comments explaining why they are compelled to fast in solidarity with the prisoners.
Jean Kelly of Rochester, New York wrote that she will go on strike, "one day per week... in solidarity with these men who are tortured continually. Their treatment is inhumane."
Gloria Quinones, from El Barrio, New York wrote that she would go on strike "because with love in our hearts and thoughts for the good of all, change happens."
Joe Walsh, of Portland, Oregon wrote: "I am 71, on oxygen full time, I will fast for one day and see. Every time I think of those men in Gitmo I weep."
Click here if you wish to take the pledge. The Hudson Valley Radical is considering organizing a local day of action to close Guantanamo. If you are interested in getting involved, please write a comment for this post or e-mail us at leftunited@gmail.com
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