International Day Of Action - Shut Down Guantánamo

U.S. ACTIVISTS JOIN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO SHUT DOWN GUANTÁNAMO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2006

On Saturday, July 15th, concerned citizens throughout the world will join together to Shut Down Guantánamo, and end illegal and indefinite detention. Called by CagePrisoners.Com, a British organization supporting Guantánamo prisoners, this day of action includes events in a dozen countries, and at least six demonstrations in the United States.

As one of the New York organizers, Reverend Earl Kooperkamp of Saint Mary's parish in Harlem, New York, commented, "We join with people throughout the world in rebuking the Bush administration for the torture and abuse carried out in our name. We call for mercy and humanity with one loud voice, and we act to enliven the hope of the more than 400 men who remain imprisoned in Guantánamo and the countless thousands detained in secret prisons throughout the world."

In the United States, actions as part of the International Call to Shut Down Guantánamo will take place in the following locations:

Washington, District of Columbia
White House, Friday, July 14th, noon-1pm

New York, New York
Washington Square Park, (under the arch on the northern end)
Saturday, July 15th, Noon to 2pm.

Springfield, Vermont
The Square, Saturday, July 15th, 3pm

New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven Green, Saturday, July 15th, 6-7pm

Boston Area, Massachusetts
Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 12-2pm

Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 6:30-7:45pm (in front of Au Bon Pain)

Democracy Center, 45 Mt Auburn Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 8pm, viewing of "The Road to Guantánamo" film

The United States actions are organized by Witness Against Torture. In December 2005, a group of twenty four friends, following the nonviolent tradition of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker walked to Guantánamo to visit the prisoners, calling themselves "Witness Against Torture." When they returned, they launched the "Campaign to Shut Down Guantánamo," which consists of public education and community outreach, networking and resource sharing, and acts of nonviolent civil disobedience to draw attention to the plight of prisoners in Guantánamo, and victims of the war on terrorism everywhere. www.witnesstorture.org

ENDS

© Scoop Media