Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2014)
12 street roots May 23, 2014 ; ■ .< 1 ■ y ■ * #•* " ' ■ • ' .. ■ R g y T E R S /B O B S T R O N G T h e exterior o f Camp Delta is seen a t the U.S. N aval Base a t G uantanam o Bay, M arch 6, 2013. The facility is operated by the Joint Task Force G uantanam o an d holds prisoners who have been captured in the w ar in A fghanistan a n d elsewhere since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. action to close the Guantanamo prison BY JAMES TARDY supposed, “leader of the free world.” May 23 is the anniversary of President ome anniversaries are occasions for BaraCk Obama’s speech in which he joy, some for remembrance, some for repeated his intention to close Guantanamo sorrow. May 23 represents an prison. To quote Mr. Obama, “the original anniversary that should, rightly, be devoted premise for opening Gitmo, that detainees to outrage. For more than a decade would not be able to Challenge their hundreds of prisoners have been held in an detention, was found unconstitutional five American prison, without charge, without [now six] years ago. Meanwhile Gitmo has ’ due process, without trial. While this prison become a symbol, around the world, for an is hot technically on American soil, it is an America that flouts the rule of law ... during American prisori. As such, it should be a time of budget cuts we spend a $150 recognized by every person reading this Million each year to imprison 166 people ... that we embarrass ourselves as a country, once we commit to a process of closing we shame ourselves as a people, and we Gitmo, I am confident that this legacy make a laughingstock of the notion of problem can be resolved, consistent with “American justice” every minute that our commitment to the rule of law...” (As a Guantanamo remains open. side note, Mr. Obama understates the Flying directly in the face of the principle monetary price, and indicates later in his of being innocent until proven guilty, the speech that it’s actually closer to $2.7 continued holding of hostages by the U.S. million per person, per year.) military represents a smear on the armed The men being held in Guantanamo forces’ honor and violates a host of prison, their families, and those of us who international and American laws. The witness this disastrous behavior have waited Geneva Conventions, the United Nations long enough. While another year passes, Convention against Torture, the Unites . those of us with our freedom are able to States Constitution. All of these are being enjoy the simple pleasures of growing' actively violated, today, right now, by our £ vegetables, eating with our families, basking own military forces, in the embrace of a loved one. Meanwhile, If this is not enough to upset you, the these men have no choice but to watch then- reader, then consider this: a large number lives slipping away from them; unconnected,, of the men being held in Guantanamo abused, and treated without the least bit of prison are specifically considered to pose no decency or regard. This is being done in our threat, to be cleared for release by the name and it is time for it to stop. Now. government. Yet, they languish, completely No More Guantanamos is a coalition of cut off from their families, their friends, concerned individuals, communities, their entire lives. These men are still being organizations, and attorneys who are held, unlawfully, by this country — the working to ensure justice for the prisoners C O N T R IB U T IN G C O L U M N IS T James Tardy is a resident o f Portland. B at Guantanamo Bay, and other offshore prison sites maintained by the CIA and the Pentagon around the world. Nancy Talanian, director of No More Guantanamos, puts it well. “President Obama’s speech last May proves that he has enough good reasons for closing a facility that should have never have been opened, and the Pentagon’s leadership has provided sufficient backing for closing the prison and for releasing inmates to silence criticism. On the anniversary of the President’s" speech and beyond, No More Guantanamos members in several Cities will be on the streets building support for the president to provide leadership, not more I empty promises.” - “The existence and continued use of the “gulag’ of Guantanamo is grotesque,” said S. Brian Willson, member of the Portland chapter of Veterans for Peace. “The fact that Americans tolerate the long imprisonment and torture of other human beings without due process means we need to take a serious look at the level of apathy in our culture.” . We don’t have to accept this insult to the face of human rights. Raise your voice. Tell those people close to you that you have a problem with this. Let your elected representatives know how you feel and demand that they take a stand against tortureand degradation, and for human rights and respect for the law. Don’t be afraid to say, “This has gone on long enough.” Visit closegitmo.net for up to date information.
