Please Support Guantanamo Protest

If you've been following the story, you're aware that the US detention center at Guantanamo is one of the more disgraceful legacies of the current administration. Bush's lawyers continue to argue in the courts that the government should have the power to imprison people, including US citizens, indefinitely without charges and without access to legal counsel. It goes without saying that this would establish a horrific precedent and mark a major step down the road toward transforming this country from a democracy into a dictatorship.

On Tuesday, November 1, I'll be participating in a fast to protest this abuse and to support a hunger strike by about half of the 540 prisoners currently being held at Guantanamo. For many of these prisoners there is apparently little or no evidence of any connection to terrorist activities; leaks suggest that they are still being held largely to prevent the administration from having to face the embarrassment of admitting that they were imprisoned needlessly. The fast is being organized by The Center for Constitutional Rights, a legal advocacy group founded in 1966 by a group of lawyers including William Kunstler.

Please consider joining this effort. Personally I find that fasting can be a meaningful way to contribute psychologically and spiritually to a cause, particularly if one channels the energy produced via prayer and reflection. I've given a donation to CCR that represents the money I would otherwise spend on food for that day. If you prefer, you might consider donating to other organizations that promote freedom and democracy, such as Human Rights Watch, The American Civil Liberties Union, or The Carter Center (see the link on the right).

Tags: human rights, Guantanamo