12
street roots
May 23, 2014
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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.