WITNESS AGAINST TORTURE
Press Advisory: For Immediate Release
January 20, 2010
Contact: Helen Schietinger, 202-344-5762, h.schietinger@verizon.net
Matt Daloisio, 201-264-4424,
WITNESS AGAINST TORTURE DECRIES OBAMA’S BROKEN PROMISES,
BROKEN LAWS, LIVES BROKEN BY TORTURE
DAY OF ACTION THURSDAY TO CLOSE
President, riding a waves of hope and excitement into the Oval Office.
Two days later, he signed executive orders outlawing torture and
committing his administration to closing
“We in the anti-torture movement were so hopeful,” comments Sherrill
Hogan from
seeing those against whom the
charged and brought to trial. But now, we hear that the
administration plans to keep
promises are broken.”
Under the banner “Broken Promises, Broken Laws, Broken Lives,” Witness
Against Torture is mobilizing for a march and action on Thursday,
January 21. The march of
jumpsuits and black hoods begins at the Obama White House and travels
a mile and a half in silent and solemn procession to the Supreme Court
and by the Capitol, highlighting all of the institutions that have
failed to execute their most basic function--justice.
“We march to hold the Obama administration to its words and promises,”
says Helen Schietinger of
to detain dozens of men at
release. In addition, the Obama administration is expanding the prison
at Bagram, and proposing indefinite detention without charge or trial
for many and an
Obama trying to replace the lawlessness of
black hole” in the continental
The day of action follows a twelve day fast and vigil for justice.
More than 150 people from around the country joined the fast, 50 of
them vigiling and meeting daily in
Friday, January 22-- the Obama administration's widely proclaimed and
now-voided-- deadline for closing
“We have been fasting to remember the men who continue to languish at
Daloisio of
their fathers. Parents have died. Families, whole communities, have
been torn apart. The lives of these men have been broken.”
SCHEDULE OF THE DAY
10:15 am Gather at the White House for a brief program
10:45 am Begin “prisoner” procession to Supreme Court (mile and a
half walk). This will be a silent and solemn procession of people
dressed in orange jumpsuits and black hoods
12:15 pm Arrive at the Supreme Court (across the street from the
Capitol) for vigil with “Broken Promises, Broken Laws, Broken Lives”
banners.
Witness Against Torture is a grassroots movement that came into being
in December 2005 when 24 activists walked through
then, it has engaged in public education, community outreach, and
non-violent direct action.
To learn more visit www.witnesstorture.org.
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