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...

The Bagram Theatre Internment Facility at the U.S. Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan is destined to supplant Guantanamo. More...

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

Day 35 update

Tue, 02/24/2009 - 11:02am

Update: Audio and video of talk by Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer

Hello from Washington, DC & the 100 Days Campaign-

We are on Day 35, and the campaign has been quite busy! We want to be in touch with you to give a brief update on how things have been, and how you can get involved.

Before the updates, we note with great sadness that on Thursday, February 19th, our community and the peace community in general lost a great ally, mentor, and friend: Peter DeMott.

As this update goes out, many of us from the 100 Days Campaign are returning from Ithaca, NY where we gathered to bury our dear friend and brother. Peter DeMott, PRESENTE!

100 Days Vigil

Monday – Friday, 11am-1pm, in the sun, snow & rain, our vigil continues in front of the White House. We maintain a solemn presence in orange jumpsuits and black hoods, holding banners & signs, and handing out leaflets….over 5,000 of which have been given out already. As we continue our focus on Guantanamo, we are also in the process of expanding our messaging around Bagram, Rendition, & Accountability.

The Uighurs

In light of President Obama’s Executive Order calling for the closure of Guantanamo in one year, we have decided, as a first step, to focus on the case of the Uighurs, seventeen Chinese Muslim men who have been classified “non-enemy combatants” and cleared for release. We join many other Human Rights organizations and concerned citizens in calling for their immediate release from Guantanamo into the United States, and have organized vigils, talks, and call in days to focus attention on their case.

Media

Guantanamo has been in the news quite a bit, and we have been part of many of the stories. Most recently, this past Thursday, the New York Times, ran a photo of our Feb. 12th vigil at the Lincoln Memorial.

Congressional Outreach

Groups that have been coming to DC as part of the campaign have had congressional visits scheduled, and have met with Senators and Representatives & their staff to keep Guantanamo, rendition, torture and accountability in the forefront of people’s minds.

Speakers & Films

Nearly every Monday and Wednesday night, the 100 Days Campaign has hosted a speaker or film on local college campuses, in churches, and at other venues around DC. This week, on Monday we hosted Rebiya Kadeer, and Wednesday we will host Kathy Kelly.

10 Ways to Get Involved

  1. Make a phone call to the White House (202.456.1111) about the Uighurs.
  2. If you’re on Facebook, join the “100 Days to Close Guantanamo and End Torture” Cause and “Witness Against Torture” group, and encourage your friends to do the same!
  3. Organize a group to come to DC and join our vigil and weekly events. See bottom of this e-mail for links that give a sense of what we’re up to.
  4. Set aside 15 minutes each day to visit our website to find the latest press and blog stories about Guantanamo, the Uighurs, torture and extraordinary rendition (see the bottom right corner), post comments to those articles and give a link to the campaign.
  5. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper reacting to any news story about Guantanamo.
  6. Have your group endorse the campaign.
  7. Join our weekly Friday 24 Hour, liquid only fast.
  8. Circulate campaign updates and call-in days to your family, friends, and contacts. The next call in day, focused on the Torture Victims Relief Act, will be this TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24th (info will be sent out Tuesday afternoon).
  9. Mark your calendars, and plan to travel to DC for APRIL 30th – the 100th DAY. Let us know (info@100dayscampaign.org) if you can come down from April 29th thru May 1st for an important action…more details soon.
  10. We understand that times are tight, but if you are able, please consider a donation to the campaign.

Next Steps

Right now, there are at least 45 men in Guantanamo on HUNGER STRIKE, most of whom are being force fed.

While Guantanamo has remained in the news, and the steps taken thus far towards its closure by the Obama administration are encouraging, we are keenly aware that “it is the powerful who say, be patient, and the powerless have to wait.”

As we remain focused on the men in Guantanamo, we have received word that they know of our efforts, and are more heartened by our collective actions than any pieces of paper that supposedly decide their fate.

Please join us in attempting to bring a measure of justice to these men!

Peace-

Matt Daloisio