For those interested in learning more - and taking peaceful action -
regarding the tragedy of US prisoners held without charge and without
rights at Guantanamo in Cuba: a local event.

Mary Anne

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 03:18:01 +0000
From: don sly <d.sly@...>
To: snow-westseattle@...
Subject: [snow-westseattle] Happy Birthday Guantanamo...

On January 11 it is 5 years that prisoners have been
> in our power at Guantanamo. 5 years of national tragedy. Because they
> are held lawlessly with no end in sight many have attempted suicide.
> (The New York Times reported two years ago that there were 350 incidents
> of "self harm" among prisoners in 2003.) 690 of the 700 have not been
> charged, much less convicted of any crime. The Pentagon originally said
> only 3 minors were among the 700. But US District Court judge Jed Rakoff
> forced the military to acknowledge that dozens of minors were in the
> adult section.
>
> On June 10, 2006, three Guantanamo prisoners took their own lives,
> rather than continue the uncertainty of detention without trial. Yasser
> al-Zahrani was 16 when first imprisoned, and only 21 years old when he
> committed suicide. (His jailers did not tell him that he was due for
> release in only 3 days.) Under international law, as a child at the
> time of his arrest al-Zahrani should never have been in prison.
>
> On January 11 at the Federal Building (2nd & Marion) St. Mary's National
> Religious Campaign Against Torture plans a 2pm demonstration of our
> outrage in our country''s treatment of prisoners in our name. We will
> hold signs calling on those in the building and those passing by to
> think what we are doing.
>
> On Wednesday night (1/10) at 6pm we will have a chili potluck in the M&M
> Cafe (St. Mary's: on 20th, 2 blocks south of Jackson) and show a
> 45-minute interview with Maryknoll priest Ray Bourgois on the roots of
> US treatment of prisoners. Those who wish may stay later to think about
> what our signs should say.
>
> Reply by email (d.sly@...) should you wish to attend our chili
> feast.
>
> Thanks. Don