The struggle for justice never ends. But in our naivete, we didn't think we'd still be working to permanently end U.S.-sponsored torture and indefinite imprisonment without charge, after all these years.
But we are.
January 11 marks the ninth anniversary of the opening of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, symbolic of our descent into what Dick Cheney famously called "the dark side."
To our shame, this prison still holds 174 prisoners, even though our government has officially stated that 90 should be released immediately. And the others? Our own treatment of them has been so criminal that we dare not bring them to trial.
"Permanent detention without trial violates the U.S. constitution, as well as international law," says Bob Cooke of Peace Action Montgomery. "When our government's policies violate the law and our nation's ideals, it's up to the people to challenge the government directly."
Along with Witness Against Torture, we invite you to take a stand in opposition to torture and indefinite detention and in support of justice and accountability under law. We've collaborated with Witness Against Torture before--you can read Jean's 2008 account of civil resistance on behalf of former Guantanamo prisoner Juma Din. We'll join them once again in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 11, regardless of the weather. Won't you come, too?
For background, watch this short video, and then look for us in Lafayette Park in front of the White House at 10:30 on Tuesday. Find a schedule of events here.
A Very Busy January
There are other ways to witness for peace and justice in January--please check our calendar and, for things you can do for Palestine, see our story below. Your voice and your body are needed in the struggle for peace and justice--please join us for one or more of these actions!
And, don't forget: we are still looking for coalition partners for our campaign to end U.S. imperialism by cutting off the funding. Are you a member of a religious congregation, community group or advocacy organization that could join our coalition? E-mail us for more information.
In peace,
Jean, Pat, Pam, Alex, Dave, Nik, Steve, Tim, Bahram, Karen, Melinda, Fran, Josh, Mike, Shelley
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Today's Quote
| "Torture, once chosen, proliferates and corrupts everything and everyone it touches, profoundly and irreversibly. Torture undermines victim and torturer alike. It corrodes the society that permits it, destroying the rule of law and right. Corrupting the soul, it eventually corrupts everything in its path."
Rev. George Hunsinger
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 Calendar | 
Tues., Jan. 11: Beginning at 11 a.m. Rally and "prisoner procession" to the Department of Justice, followed by non-violent direct action, a witness focused on torture and inhumane prisoner conditions. White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., D.C. Organized by Witness Against Torture, to keep Guantanamo prison from reaching its tenth anniversary. A ten-day fast will begin on Jan. 11 as a part of this action.*
Tues., Jan. 11: Book discussion by author William Hartung, Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military Industrial Complex, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW, DC, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 15: Demonstration in opposition to 20 years of war against Iraq. Events all day, with a march beginning at 10:30, commencing at 16th and Park Rd., NW, DC. Teach-in from 2-6, candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. at the White House. Organized by Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. For updates, check here. Cosponsored by Peace Action Montgomery.*
Mon., Jan. 17: Noon, protest at FBI headquarters, 935 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC, in opposition to FBI surveillance and harassment of peace activists, followed by convoy at 1 p.m. to Quantico, VA, for a rally in support of Bradley Manning. More details here.*
Wed., Jan. 19: Noon, Peace Action Montgomery partners with Progressive Democrats of America in monthly brown bag vigils, with three demands: Hands Off Social Security, Bring the Troops Home in 2011, and Move the Money from the Pentagon to Our Communities. This vigil will be at Rep. Donna Edwards' office in Silver Spring, 8730 Georgia Ave. Unlike most members of Congress, Rep. Edwards supports these demands, so we will engage passers-by as a way to provide support to our Congresswoman on these issues. Join us there! Next month's vigil will be at the Rockville office of Rep. Chris Van Hollen.*
Thurs., Jan. 20: 7 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery meeting, 9510 Hale St., Forest Glen. Let us know if you need a ride.*
Thurs., Jan. 20 - Sat., Jan. 22: "For the People Summit," a conference to get money out of politics. Details here.
Thurs., Feb. 3: 7 p.m. Progressive Cheverly forum, "The Militarization of America: At What Cost?" presented by Jean Athey. Judith Hoyer Montessori School, 2300 Belleview, Cheverly.*
Sun., Feb. 6: 2 - 4 p.m. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks at a meeting of the Clean and Fair Elections Coalition, of which Peace Action Montgomery is a member, on the topic of a constitutional amendment to address corporate money in elections. Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 3215 Powder Mill Rd., Adelphi.*
Wed., Feb. 16 - Fri., Feb. 18: Montgomery College, Germantown campus, Globe Hall, art exhibit: Transforming the Human Spirit, examining the culture of violence. Opening events Feb. 16, 3 - 5 p.m.
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.*
Every Friday: Vigil at Walter Reed, in the open plaza between Dahlia and Elder streets, 7 to 9 p.m., come for any amount of time during that period.*
*Events that Peace Action Montgomery has discussed and formally endorsed.
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What You Can Do Today About the U.S.-Supported Occupation of Palestine
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Two years after Israel's horrific 22-day all-out assault of the besieged Palestinian Gaza Strip, Israel continues to collectively punish 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip through an illegal blockade and to avoid accountability for its actions.
The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is collecting signatures in the next 22 days on a petition that calls upon the Obama Administration to (1) Demand that Israel end its illegal siege of the Gaza Strip, and (2) Stop blocking the international community from holding Israel accountable for its actions. Sign the petition here.Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the brutal occupation continues, with frequent deaths of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli military. On Jan. 1, a Palestinian woman was killed by tear gas in the town of Bil'in at a nonviolent protest of the illegal apartheid wall. A U.S. company, Combined Systems Inc., provides this tear gas to Israel. Click here to send an e-mail to this company, asking them to stop now. Finally, please consider joining with the DC Metro BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) coalition on Saturday, Jan. 15, outside Trader Joe's in DC, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 25th and L St., NW, DC. We are leafletting and talking to customers, encouraging them not to buy products made in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Join us at Lafayette Park at 10:30 Tuesday to demand the closure of Guantanamo Prison and an end to indefinite detention.
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Ask your community group or religious congregation to endorse the Fund Our Communities campaign. E-mail us for more information.
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Invite us to speak to your group about the Fund Our Communities campaign and/or to talk about the militarization of America.
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Commentary
| The Center for Constitutional Rights has filed a brief in Spain in support of prosecuting six Bush Administration
officials for providing a legal framework for torture. If the Spanish court agrees to prosecute, it would be the first such trial since Nuremberg.
CCR is also asking the Spanish court to subpoena Major General Geoffrey Miller, the former commanding officer at Guantánamo Bay, to explain his role in the torture of four former detainees.
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Afghanistan
Update |
For a highly readable and comprehensive update on the latest in Afghanistan, click here. |
Those Who Died Dec. 12- Jan. 1
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In Iraq:
164 Iraqis
In Afghanistan:
Spc Jorge Villacis 24 Sunrise FL
Spc Derek Simonetta 21 Redwood City CA
Spc Kenneth Necochea Jr 21 San Diego CA
Spc Patrick Deans 22 Orlando FL
Cpl Willie McLawhorn Jr 23 Conway NC
Cpl Sean Collins 25 Ewa Beach HI
Cpl Jose Hernandez 19 West Palm Beach FL
Sgt Justin Schmalstieg 28 Pittsburgh PA
Spc Sean Osterman 21 Princeton MN
Cpl Jose Maldonado 21 Mathis TX
Cpl Jonathan Lefort 28 France
Cap Benoit Dupin 34 France
Cpl Eric Tolbert Jr 25 Lancaster PA
Cpl Steve Martin 24 Quebec
Pvt Javier Conrado Jr 19 Marina CA
Cpl William Crouse IV 22 Woodruff SC
Cpl Steven Dunn 27 Scotland
Cpl Kenneth Corzine 23 Bethalto IL Sgt Garrett Misener 25 Cordova TN Cpl Tevan Nguyen 21 Hutto TX WO Charles Wood 34 England Sgt Michael Beckerman 25 St Genevieve MO Cpl Matteo Miotto 24 Italy Pvt Joseva Vatubua 24 Fiji Cpl Maung Htaik 20 Hagerstown MD 550 Afghans and Pakistanis
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