Thursday, December 12, 2013

Alfred,

Since 2005, when the World Can't Wait was formed with the intention of driving out the Bush regime, this organization has set out to reverse the direction of endless war, torture and repression and the culture of bigotry, intolerance and greed.

We are people of conscience, committed to building a community of resistance – an independent mass movement of people – acting in the interests of humanity to stop the crimes of this government.

AwardIn line with this mission, we aim to foster broader support and awareness of the actions, small and large, that individuals have taken and are taking to resist injustice at personal risk, whether or not they have received public attention for their acts. Those who have taken creative and bold action for humanity and the planet may be vilified by the government, the press, and reactionary groups, but we honor them for their courage and principles.

In 2014, we aim to award these courageous resisters for their service to humanity. We are soliciting nominations to this end. Who do you think we should put the spotlight on for their courage in the face of the crimes of this government?

Make your nomination online.

Jill McLaughlin nominated Shaker Aamer for a courageous resister award, writing:
“Shaker Aamer for consistently advocating for his fellow prisoners, under the most torturous and repressive tactics of the U.S. government,that the U.S. release those being held at Guantanamo and that Guantanamo be closed.”
Shaker Aamer
This past summer, British musician PJ Harvey released a song on her website pjharvey.net as well as reprieve.org.uk which bears the name of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident to be detained at Guantanamo Bay. The lyrics are based on Shaker's letters:

"No water for three days.
I cannot sleep, or stay awake.

Four months hunger strike.
Am I dead, or am I alive?

With metal tubes we are force fed.
I honestly wish I was dead.

Strapped in the restraining chair.
Shaker Aamer, your friend."

In Camp 5, eleven years.
Never charged. Six years cleared.

"They took away my one note pad,
and then refused to give it back.

I can’t think straight, I write, then stop.
Your friend Shaker Aamer. Lost.

The guards just do what they’re told,
the doctors just do what they’re told.

Like an old car I’m rusting away.
Your friend, Shaker. Guantanamo Bay."

Don’t forget.

Listen/download the song.


Saudi-born Aamer traveled to Afghanistan in 2001 to work for an Islamic charity shortly before the US invaded the country. He was captured by local North Alliance forces and handed over to the Americans who accused him of being “recruiter, financier and facilitator” for Al Qaeda. Aamer was subjected to torture but ultimately no charges were brought against him. He was cleared for release in 2007 — under Bush — and featured in our Close Guantanamo statement published last spring in The New York Times.

Shaker Aamer is on hunger strike again — not currently subjected to tortuous force-feeding (as of last known reports), and so his life is in serious danger, as The Guardian reports:
“Aamer has been on the latest hunger strike for less than a month and his weight has fallen from 188lb on 8 November to around 158lb now. ‘According to their rules, they should start to force-feed me at 154lb. That will mean being strapped into the chair twice a day, then the 110cm tube up my nose, the liquid forced into me, and the tube hauled back out. I've been through it before. It's horrid … If I have to, I will try to endure.

‘But they are ignoring me. If it's anything like before, they might make me go down to 130lb. I won't pretend I am not afraid of what might happen then. I might lose my heart, or my kidney. I don't want to go as a vegetable, or even in a coffin.’”
Protesting for Djamel
Above: Protesting for for Djamel at Algerian Embassy in DC on December 10.
Djamel Ameziane, an innocent man, was held at Guantanamo for almost 12 years - and was just sent to Algeria, where is being held in secret. His life and well-being are in danger. Learn more about Djamel at ccrjustice.org. World Can't Wait, Witness Against Torture & Code Pink organized this action.

Obama Urged to Fire James Clapper by Veteran Intelligence Professionals

Ray McGovern, Ann Wright, Todd Pierce, Daniel Ellsberg and others sent a letter to President Obama.
Last March – before Edward Snowden revealed the NSA’s sweeping collection of phone and other data – Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said no such operation existed. Now, a group of ex-national security officials urge President Obama to fire Clapper.  They noted a series of lies by James Clapper about NSA spying

"In a June 6 2013 [the day after Snowden's revelations became public] telephone interview with Michael Hirsh of the National Journal, Clapper stated:
'What I said [to the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 12] was, the NSA does not voyeuristically pore through U.S. citizens’ e-mails. I stand by that.'”

Share this message:
Tweet Facebook
Think Globally; Act Now to Put Humanity and the Planet First!
Watch now
Your end of year donations are needed now to bring on the resistance is 2014. Donations can be tax deductible via check or online.

Donate Now

Hoodie
Humanity and the Planet Come First - Stop the Crimes of Your Government
Back includes 19 languages


Additional Dates Added for January 2014 Close Guantanamo Tour with Andy Worthington & Debra Sweet:
** If you can help with the tour, or have your organization co-sponsor dates, please contact Debra Sweet.

NYC Thurs January 9:
Film screening of Doctors of the Darkside with Andy Worthington, Todd Pierce, former U.S. military defense attorney for Guantanamo prisoners.
7:00 pm All Souls Church, 1157 Lexington Avenue, New York NY.  Co-sponsored by All Souls Church, Psychologists for Social Responsibility & Revolution Books.

DC Friday January 10:

Film screening of Doctors of the Darkside, with Andy Worthington and Debra Sweet at Busboys and Poets with Todd PIerce.
6:00 pm at Busboys & Poets 5th & K Streets, Washington DC.

DC Saturday January 11:
12 noon Close Guantanamo Now Protest at the White House with Witness Against Torture, Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International, National Religious Coalition Against Torture.

San Francisco Tuesday January 14:
Hastings College (UC Law School) event from noon to 1:00 pm.

Los Angeles Wednesday January 15: 
11:30 am Los Angeles MLK Luncheon with Interfaith Communities United for Justice & Peace
Soon to be announced events in San Diego & Orange County.

Pomona, CA Friday January 17:
with Dennis Loo at CSU Pomona
Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can't Wait

No comments:

Post a Comment