Hello from Washington, DC & the 100 Days Campaign-

We have passed the mid-point of the 100 Days, and the campaign continues to be quite busy! Here is a brief update on how things have been, and how you can get involved.

100 Days Vigil

As the seasons change, more and more folks are coming by our Monday – Friday, 11am-1pm, vigil in front of the White House. In the last few weeks we have seen Joe Biden, Joe the Plumber, and the Prime Minister of Japan (just to name a few). We maintain a solemn presence in orange jumpsuits and black hoods, holding banners & signs, and handing out leaflets….over 8,000 given out already! Our two main banners for the vigil read: “FREE THE UIGHURS” & “Guantanamo & Bagram – Cruel, Inhuman & Degrading”.

The Uighurs

We are continuing to focus a great deal of energy on the cases of the Uighurs, seventeen Chinese Muslim men who have been classified “non-enemy combatants” and cleared for release. We have been calling the White House every day of the campaign, asking President Obama to order the immediate release of these men into the United States. If you haven’t called yet, stop reading this and do it now (202-456-1111). In addition to the daily calls to the White House, on the 50th day of Barack Obama’s presidency, Witness Against Torture & Our Spring Break hand delivered a letter to each US senator, requesting support for releasing the Uighurs.

Congressional Outreach

Since the beginning of the 100 Days Campaign, people from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Montana, Nebraska, California and North Carolina have met with staff for their US representatives and senators. They’ve discussed why they’ve come to Washington to participate in the Campaign, asked for support for releasing the Uighurs into the United States, pressed for accountability, and warned that Bagram is quickly developing into another Guantánamo. See our lobbying page for more.

Media

Guantanamo continues to be in the news quite a bit, and we have been part of many of the stories. Most recently, we attended Sen. Leahy’s recent hearing regarding a ‘truth commission’ in orange jumpsuits, as a physical reminder that the men in Guantánamo are still there, and our photo and message appeared in the Boston Globe.

Speakers and 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 venue’s around DC. Tonight we are joined by Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights, and we look forward to hearing from Jeremy Scahill in the near future, as well as “Celebrating Resistance” with Music and Poetry on April 6th.

Members of Witness Against Torture have also gone out to speak with several local schools and parish groups, including Bishop McNamara High School, Archbishop Carroll High School, Loyola College in Maryland, and St. John Neumann Parish’s JustFaith group.

Day 100

Two hundred-fifty prisoners remain detained in Guantanamo, including many already cleared for release, Bagram prison is expanding. Indefinite detention is continuing. We invite you to join us in Washington DC for the 100th Day, April 30 for a procession in orange jump suits and a nonviolent direct action at the White House. We are asking folks to arrive early on April 29, and we will provide housing and meals for your time in DC.

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.
4. Set aside 15 minutes each day to visit our website to find the latest press and blog stories about Guantanamo, the Uighers, 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 24-hour, liquid-only fast every Friday.
8. Circulate campaign updates and call-in days to your family, friends, and contacts.
9. Mark your calendars, and plan to travel to DC for APRIL 30th – the 100th DAY.
10. We understand that times are tight, but if you are able, please consider a donation to the campaign.

The 100 Days Campaign has been supported and enhanced by the many groups that have joined us in the first half of the campaign. Catholic Workers from across the Northeast have joined us, as well as friends from near and far. It has been a tremendous time of reflecting and working, planning and vigiling. You can get a sense of what our daily presence in the DC looks like by listening to one of our podcasts and checking out some of our videos.

If you haven’t come yet, there’s still time. If you have, come back again soon!

Peace-
Matt Daloisio
for the 100 Days Campaign