Guantanamo Rendition Flights Vigil at Aviation Authority, Dublin

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:20 087 918 4552

The last few months have seen an escalation in the war on Iraq, without a major response from anything resembling an anti-war movement in the West. It seems as though folks are generally drawing false hopes from the mid term elections in the U.S. and the Baker Report, while Gates is in Baghdad today talkng up an additional 20,000 troops being deployed (through Shannon) to Iraq.

The Irish government has been exposed by the EU as complicit in refueling extraordianary renditions/CIA torture flights. Dermot Ahern attempts the old sychophantic shuffle attempting to make the distinction between refueling a vehicle on the way to commit a crime and refueling a vehicle on the way back from the crime scene. And falling back on the old chestnut that there is no evidence of CIA prisoners passing through Shannon...a situation guaranted by the Garda refusing to check CIA planes for evidence. The recent prisoner being illeglly transited through Shannon was exposed by airport cleaners.

Cheney's recent transit through Shannon was a scramble to meet the Sauds (yep the same royal family that last week got the British government to nix the Serious Frauds squad investigation involving a £60 million British Aerospace slush fund for bribes, prostitutes et al for a few of the princes). The Saud family reach is pretty long, right in to the entrails of the British legal system. Cheney's concern is that the Sauds are funding the Sunni armed resistance in Iraq....yep they be the same folks shooting and bombing U.S. troops. Go figure!

So the contradictions deepen, the war grows worse and the silence in the west - with an absence of a vibrant anti-war movement - is deafening. What to do?

Well don't make the same mistakes as last time. Leaving activism and direction in the hands of political parties (both mainstream parliamentary and those of the marginalised auhoritarian left and their NGO bureuacrat first cousins) who are more interested in promoting their brand names, recruitment and usual marketting ploys than directly resisting the war effort or offering solidarity with anyone who does.

There is massive passive opposition to Irish involvement in this war. There is also massive passive cynicism and resignation. We have to make the opposition visible. If you are seriously opposed to this war and Irish involvement in it, consider making your opposition visible for an hour a week. It could be outside the Aviation Authority or a government building, it could be outside a Top Oil garage or on your campus or outside TD's office or in your commuinity.

Show procative solidarity with nonviolent resistance to the war when it breaks out. Whether it comes from soldiers refusing to deploy or Catholic Workers disabling the war machine or those folks presently blockading the Faslane nuclear weapons base. Create ways to proactively show your solidarity...write a peace prisoner a letter, send someone awaiting a court hearing some bucks to cover transport etc., spread the word about our prisoners and resisters. Keep the resistance going.
The more solidarity expressed the easier the resistance is to carry out. Our people in chains and custody are waiting to hear from you!
You'll find some peace prisoner addresses on the following websites
www.jonahhouse.org
www.soaw.org

The Garda, building security and employees at the Aviation Authority took our presence there yesterday very seriously. If we begin to take ourselves, and the work at hand, as seriously as the state takes it...we may be on the road to stopping this war. The light at the end of the tunnel....mid term elections, Baker enquiry...is a train! It continues to mow down lives in Iraq and elsewhere. it's not going to stop by itself. Get up, get active, get visible....................

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Thu Dec 21, 2006 14:14 087 918 4552

See below for details on mass nonviolent direct action firming up for Washington DC on January 11th - the 5th. anniversary of prisoners arriving at Guantanamo. There will be a vigil outside the U.S. embassy in Dublin on January 11th 4.30pm-6pm.

A callout for vigils at U.S. embassies, consulates and sites of signifcance has confirmed protests in London, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Sydney and Melbourne along with many towns and cities in the U.S.
Keep updated on the following website.......
www.witnesstorture.org

Invite to Jan 11th International Day to Shut Down Guantánamo in Wash DC

On January 11th, 2002, twenty hooded and shackled men shuffled off a
plane from Afghanistan, arriving at the U.S. prison at Guantánamo. In
an attempt to sidestep the Geneva Convention protections for prisoners
of war, the Bush administration created a new category of "enemy
combatant" for these men captured in the "war on terror."

Since that time, more than one thousand men and boys have been
imprisoned at Guantánamo. Accounts of cruel, inhuman, and degrading
treatment have been condemned by the United Nations, Human Rights
Watch and other reputable bodies. The prisoners have resorted to
hunger strikes as a way of protesting their treatment. Many have
attempted suicide; three men killed themselves on June 10th 2006.
Desperation, fear and frustration mark their confinement.

Five years later, not a single prisoner has been charged, tried or
convicted of any crime. Many have been released because no evidence
has been found against them, but more than 430 men remain in
indefinite detention without hope of release. The United States has
abandoned law and justice.

January 11th, 2007 marks five years of unjust imprisonment, isolation,
beatings, interrogation and abuse for these men. We must say: no more.
We must say: no longer. For our nation of laws, for our democracy, for
our humanity and theirs, we demand small but essential steps to help
return our nation to the best of our own traditions.

We mark January 11, 2007 as a day of national shame. But we can also
mark it as a day of citizen action. How? By acting on behalf of our
fellow human beings in Guantánamo, their bereaved families and all
victims of the "war on terrorism." We declare January 11, 2007 an
International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo.

Schedule of Events on Jan 11th in Wash DC

10am - Press Conference at the US Supreme Court (One First Street, NE)
Hear from Guantánamo Lawyers, family members of prisoners, survivors
of torture and others.

11:30am - "Prisoners of Guantanamo Procession" to the US Federal Court
In this massive street theater performance, hundreds of
"prisoners"--each wearing orange jump suits, black hoods and chains,
and bearing the name of a current detainee--will march in an orderly
silent procession, stopping occasionally to kneel or bow at the beck
and call of "prison guards" who accompany them. We hope to form a
prisoner contingent that will consist of as many people as there are
detainees to evoke a dramatic visual representation of the moral
disgrace that is Guantanamo.

12-5pm Vigil at the Federal Court (intersection of Constitution Ave,
NW and Pennsylvania Ave, NW) Upon arriving at Federal Court, we invite
people to deliver motions on prisoners' behalf to the Court. Those who
do not wish to risk arrest will stay and continue to hold vigil
outside the Court as part of a permitted rally and demonstration.

We encourage people to let us know in advance if they are willing to
participate in either the Prisoners March, Civil Disobedience, or
both.

There will be solidarity demonstrations from Amsterdam to Boise, Idaho
and in Guantánamo, Cuba and a National Call-In Day to Congress. For a
full list of solidarity actions, endorsers, and details of the day of
action, please contact Witness Against Torture
(www.witnesstorture.org)
Related Link: http://www.witnesstorture.org

by Wondering Thu Dec 21, 2006 22:00

Why protest at the aviation authority?

by AA Thu Dec 21, 2006 22:18

Aviation Authority authorises what ever takes off and lands in Ireland...U.S. troop movements (3,000 a week according to last Saturday's Irish Times), military transports, CIA rendition flights etc.

by Wondering Thu Dec 21, 2006 22:26

Aviation Authority authorises what ever takes off and lands in Ireland...U.S. troop movements (3,000 a week according to last Saturday's Irish Times), military transports, CIA rendition flights etc.

Surly the emploiees have a right to say no to requests for landing and take offs??On humaniterian grounds

by G Thu Dec 21, 2006 22:45

JANUARY 11, 2007: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO SHUT DOWN GUANT�NAMO

In the work to shut down Guantánamo, there is a part to be played by
lawyers and human rights advocates. What is the role of the citizen?
To stand up on behalf of the victims of the war on terrorism. On
January 11, many of us will do that through nonviolent direct action,
creatively challenging a system of laws that offer no justice.

CALL TO ACTION

We declare January 11, 2007, five years after the first prisoners
arrived at Guantanamo, an International Day of Action to Shut Down
Guantánamo. In Washington, DC we will hold a permitted march from the
Supreme Court to the U.S. Federal Court; some may risk arrest they
attempt to submit Habeas petitions on the behalf of the prisoners of
Guantánamo. There will also be solidarity demonstrations from
Amsterdam to Boise, Idaho and a National Call-In Day to Congress. We
invite you to come to Washington and participate, or else join or plan
an action in your own community.

JOIN US IN WASHINGTON, DC

Thursday, January 11, 10:00am. Gather at Upper Senate Park
(intersection of Delaware & Constitution Avenues, NE)

The day involves several elements:

"PRISONERS OF GUANT�NAMO MARCH." A provocative street theater
performance involving people wearing orange jump suits, black hoods
and chains, and bearing the name of a man imprisoned at Guantánamo. We
will march in an orderly silent procession hauntingly evoking the
moral disgrace that is Guantánamo. With your help, we will form a
prisoner contingent including as many protesters as there are
prisoners.

NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION. Following the march to the Federal Court, we
encourage members of the prisoner contingent to risk arrest attempting
to deliver motions on prisoners' behalf to the Court. To participate,
please consider attending an orientation meeting on Wednesday night at
St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church (1525 Newton Street, NW) or
come early to Upper Senate Park for an orientation and rehersal at
9:30am. Please let us know in advance if you are willing to
participate in either the Prisoners Contingent, Nonviolent Direct
Action, or both. Email jan11@witnesstorture.org.

VIGIL & RALLY. Those not participating in nonviolent direct action
will vigil outside the Federal Court in a permitted rally involving
street theater, puppets and a litany...as more hooded and suited
prisoners wait for their day in court.

TEACH-IN. There will be a Teach-In on Guantánamo, Law and Justice at
Georgetown Law School starting at 6:30pm.

PRESS CONFERENCE. In addition to the above activities organized by
Witness Against Torture, the Center for Constitutional Rights and
Amnesty USA are organizing a press conference that will take place on
the steps of the Supreme Court at 10:30am.

CONGRESSIONAL CALL-IN DAY. Visit http://www.witnesstorture.org/callin
for details on how to contact your members of Congress on January 11th
to demand an end to torture and indefinite detention.

For up-to-date details visit http://www.witnesstorture.org.

D.C. LOGISTICS

* Housing for people attending the January 11 action will be available
at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Church. People risking arrest who
have special needs and require a bed please let us know. Email
jan11@witnesstorture.org.

* Food will be served on January 10 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's. A
light breakfast will be served on January 11 from 7:00-8:00 a.m.

* Directions to St. Stephen's Church and Upper Senate Park, as well as
info about rides to D.C., are available at
http://www.witnestorture.org/logistics .

* Legal support will also be available. See
http://www.witnestorture.org/legal .

* Consider bringing hoods & orange jumpsuits if you have them. Let us
know if you do. Email jan11@witnesstorture.org.

* Donate online at http://www.witnestorture.org/donate or send a check
made out to "Witness Against Torture" to Mary House Catholic Worker,
55 E. Third Street, New York, NY 10003.

JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF LOCAL VIGILS - ATTEND OR ORGANIZE AN ACTION
IN YOUR COMMUNITY

If you can't join us in Washington D.C., please consider attending or
organizing a vigil, march or a public forum in your community. Actions
are currently planned in Amsterdam, Holland; Boise, Idaho; Chicago,
Illinois; Corvallis, Oregon; Dublin, Ireland; Duluth, Minnesota;
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Humboldt County, CA; London, UK; Managua,
Nicaragua; Miami, Florida; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA;
Pittsburgh, PA; San Francisco, CA; Saratoga Springs, NY; Sydney,
Australia; and Syracuse, New York.

Visit http://www.WitnessTorture.org for up-to-date details about
solidarity events, as well as to find ideas for actions, to post to
our calendar, or to download flyers and other resources.

WHO WE ARE

One year ago Witness Against Torture drew international attention
after it walked to Guantanamo to visit the prisoners. Upon its return,
the group has organized vigils, marches, nonviolent direct actions and
educational events to expose and decry the administration's
lawlessness, build awareness about torture and indefinite detention,
and forge human ties with the prisoners at Guantánamo and their
families.

Some of the organizations endorsing the Jan 11 Day of Action include:

* Bill of Rights Defense Committee * Center for Constitutional Rights
* CodePink * DC Anti-War Network * Declaration of Peace * Global
Exchange * International Federation for Human Rights * National
Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance * Pax Christi USA * Peace Action *
Torture Abolition and Survivors Coalition * United for Peace and
Justice * War Resisters League

For more information go to http://www.WitnessTorture.org

--

by EUro Eastern Front Fri Dec 22, 2006 00:26

quote.... The Sacramento Catholic Worker House, Grandmothers for Peace and other local peace activists held a rally and march in Sacramento on Friday, December 15 demanding that the California National Guard be withdrawn from Iraq immediately.

After rallying briefly at the Peace Garden at the State Capitol, 10 anti-war activists then marched to the Governor's Office to request a meeting with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before going through security, California Highway Patrol Officers forced the activists to leave their signs behind, since under the current rules, no signs are allowed in the State Capitol.

The organizers presented a letter to the Governor's staff, signed by the protesters and other supporters, demanding that he ask Bush to bring the troops home from Iraq. However, the staff directed the activists to present the petition to the mailroom - and they refused to comment on the letter or the issue.

Long time peace and social justice activists Dan and Chris Delaney of the Sacramento Catholic Worker House commented on the action.

“It's a small step,” acknowledged Chris Delaney, “but big changes come from little beginnings.”

more at
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/12/20/18339017.php

The Sacramento Catholic Worker House, Grandmothers for Peace and other local peace activists

by Jonah Fri Dec 22, 2006 13:23

http://www.jonahhouse.org/FRDec06.htm

by pat c Fri Dec 22, 2006 14:26

22 December 1961 James Davis became the first US soldier to die in Vietnam, while US involvement was still limited to the provision of military advisers. 55,000 more were to die.

But who was the first Vietnamese who fell fighting the Imperialist invaders of his country? Just as we are never likely to know the name of the first Iraqi to die in the uprising against the British in the 1920s. Will it take another 53,000 US deaths in Iraq before they leave.?

by Joe Mulligan SJ Mon Dec 25, 2006 02:43 Managua, Nicaragua

Thanks for this msg. Great work going on re Jan. 11, and we are glad to
be part of it. We will have a Gitmo demonstration in front of the US
embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, on that day.
Merry Christmas,
Joe