[torture] PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Activists Join International Call to Shut Down Gitmo

[announcement-only list for witness against torture]

U.S. ACTIVISTS JOIN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO SHUT DOWN GUANTÁNAMO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2006

SEE PRESS CONTACTS BELOW:

On Saturday, July 15th, concerned citizens throughout the world will
join together to Shut Down Guantánamo, and end illegal and indefinite
detention.  Called by CagePrisoners.Com, a British organization
supporting Guantánamo prisoners, this day of action includes events in
a dozen countries, and at least six demonstrations in the United
States.

As one of the New York organizers, Reverend Earl Kooperkamp of
Saint Mary's parish in Harlem, New York, commented, "We join with
people throughout the world in rebuking the Bush administration for
the torture and abuse carried out in our name. We call for mercy and
humanity with one loud voice, and we act to enliven the hope of the
more than 400 men who remain imprisoned in Guantánamo and the
countless thousands detained in secret prisons throughout the world."

In the United States, actions as part of the International Call to
Shut Down Guantánamo will take place in the following locations:

Washington, District of Columbia
White House, Friday, July 14th, noon-1pm
Contact Art Laffin, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, for more information:
202-882-9649, artlaffin at hotmail.com

New York, New York
Washington Square Park, (under the arch on the northern end)
Saturday, July 15th, Noon to 2pm. Contact Frida.berrigan at gmail.com, or
call 347-683-4928

Springfield, Vermont
The Square, Saturday, July 15th, 3pm
Contact Martha Hennessy, marthahennessy at tds.net for more information

New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven Green, Saturday, July 15th, 6-7pm
Contact Mark Colville, Amistad Catholic Worker, for more information
203-624-5517, amistadcwh at sbcglobal.net

Boston Area, Massachusetts
Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 12-2pm

Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 6:30-7:45pm (in front of Au Bon Pain)

Democracy Center, 45 Mt Auburn Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, July 15th, 8pm, viewing of "The Road to Guantánamo" film

For more information on the three Boston-area events, please contact
Brookline PeaceWorks, at peace at texnology.com 617-738-8029

The United States actions are organized by Witness Against Torture. In
December 2005, a group of twenty four friends, following the
nonviolent tradition of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker walked to
Guantánamo to visit the prisoners, calling themselves "Witness Against
Torture." When they returned, they launched the "Campaign to Shut Down
Guantánamo," which consists of public education and community
outreach, networking and resource sharing, and acts of nonviolent
civil disobedience to draw attention to the plight of prisoners in
Guantánamo, and victims of the war on terrorism everywhere.
www.witnesstorture.org

-- 
Frida Berrigan
frida.berrigan at gmail.com