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CREATED:20160105T160000Z
DESCRIPTION:Walk with us on Monday, January 11, the 14th anniversary of the torture 
 chamber prison at Guantanamo.   YOU ARE INVITED.  A group of people in 
 orange jumpsuits representing the Guantanamo prisoners will walk thru busy 
 downtown San Francisco.  People walking alongside them will explain our 
 message with words and flyers to those we meet.  This is about bearing 
 witness AND engaging many more people to challenge and change what they 
 think about this horrible crime of torture and indefinite detention. \n\nAs 
 this illegal, immoral prison enters its 15th year, with 107 men still 
 behind its bars,  protests demanding CLOSE GUANTANAMO NOW! will hit the 
 streets in D.C., Miami, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco.  World 
 Can't Wait is joining together with other movements and organizations to 
 make these actions happen (for more details see our national website) and 
 we urgently welcome you to join us.\n\nUnder two U.S. 
 presidents/commanders-in-chief -- and now about to be handed over to a 
 third -- what has been going on at Guantanamo is an insult to humanity.  
 And although what 774 prisoners have experienced there is no secret 
 (indefinite detention,  brutal torture,  and the total trashing of due 
 process and any semblance of legality), Guantanamo is not supposed to be a 
 topic of conversation in polite society generally, or in the current 
 discourse about the 2016 presidential elections in particular.  But that 
 just means that it's on us, the impolite activists, journalists and 
 writers, human rights and legal fighters, to speak up.  It is on us who 
 reject the thundering silence of complicity, to keep exposing the facts and 
 demanding an end to the torture which is a war crime, and a crime against 
 humanity.\n\nThink about this: we ("the "impolite" above) have been 
 shouting for years.  But it was the prisoners themselves, through their 
 heroic and collective hunger strike, who two years ago forced Obama to 
 break his silence, acknowledge that Guantanamo is illegitimate  (and make 
 more promises, which have stayed broken --  but that's on him and not the 
 fault of the prisoners!)  But whatever Obama meant when he spoke back then 
 -- today, the situation is what it is.  And as you probably are already 
 clear about it yourself: the claim that "Congressional opposition is 
 blocking Obama's ability to close Guantanamo" is not true.  Legally this 
 President has the authority as commander-in-chief and under the law 
 including the NDAA, to close the prison. \n\nBut whether the powerful abide 
 by law or not, there is still a more fundamental question of right and 
 wrong.  The Guantanamo prisoners have for years done all they could to put 
 their plight before the world.  Now, who will stand with them, who will 
 ensure their voices are not silenced?\n\nAnd there's more to the need for 
 January's actions than just marking the anniversary.  Current events have 
 led to a situation where "protecting America against terrorism" has taken 
 new wind into its sails.  The "keeping Americans safe" mythology being spun 
 to legitimize and to suck people into supporting every new Big Brother 
 measure that intensifies political surveillance and repression -- and makes 
 Muslims, immigrants, and others unworthy of rights and respect -- is an 
 ugly, fraudulent and dangerous sinkhole. If no one challenges this 
 atmosphere, where will it all go?  \n\nIf your organization can endorse the 
 action that's welcome (please reply to this email to affirm the 
 endorsement).  But what we most want and  need is for many groups to send 
 two or more people to take part in the action (walk with us).    PLEASE 
 RSVP.  \n\nYou are welcome to publicize this action, to bring your own 
 flyers for handout and your own signs, and to issue your own press 
 releases.  In any of that, please acknowledge the three (3) action 
 sponsors:  World Can't Wait, CODEPINK, and School of the Americas Watch SF 
 Chapter.  (List in formation)\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/05/18781525.php
SUMMARY:Close Guantanamo NOW!
LOCATION:Gather @ 1:30 at Market and Montgomery (north corner plaza). Mobile street 
 action will move through downtown SF, ending at SF City Hall @ 4:00 pm.
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/05/18781525.php
DTSTART:20160111T213000Z
DTEND:20160112T000000Z
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