For the past 100 days, a coalition of groups and individuals took part in demonstrations, educated Congress & the public, and engaged in nonviolent direct action. More...

President Obama should free 17 Chinese Muslims the US government has exonerated of any wrongdoing but who remain imprisoned in Guantanamo. More...

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Following a rally and procession, 61 people dressed in orange jumpsuits and black hoods were arrested in front of the White House. More...

April 30: 61 arrested at White House in Guantanamo demonstration

Thu, 04/30/2009 - 2:13pm

61 Americans, dressed in the orange jumpsuits and black hoods that have become the symbol of Guantanamo detainees, were arrested in front of the White House in a nonviolent demonstration this afternoon.

The demonstrators each had the name of a detainee stenciled on the back of the jumpsuit. 55 of the detainees represented were cleared for release by the Bush administration but not released; an additional 5 died at the prison.

This event capped the 100 Days Campaign to Close Guantanamo and End Torture, which pressured President Obama to close the prison and end America's policies of torture and indefinite detention within his first 100 days in office.

The day began with a march from the Capitol to the White House, organized by Witness Against Torture, Amnesty International, TASSC, the ACLU, and other groups.

AP: Anti-torture activists arrested at White House. (Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP.)


Russia Today: Anti-torture rally hits Washington

National Catholic Reporter: Catholic activists protest torture practice

Huffington Post: Anti-Torture Protesters Arrested In Droves Outside White House (includes videos)

Photos: Flickr pool from today's action and past days, Amnesty International photos

More video: liamh2

Press release: Anti-Torture Demonstrators Arrested at the White House Calling for Criminal Inquiry into Torture, Release of Innocent Detainees

Statement: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Accountability, Torture, and the Obama Administration






Photo: David McReynolds for Witness Against Torture