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.
 In 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.”
 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.’”
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.'”
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Think Globally; Act Now to Put Humanity and the Planet
First!
Your end of year donations are needed now to bring on the resistance is
2014. Donations can be tax deductible via check or online.
Humanity and the Planet Come First - Stop the Crimes of
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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 |
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