Shut Down Guantanamo Protest at US Embassy

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Monday January 22, 2007 11:21 by Justin Morahan - Peace People

Fifth anniversary marked

There was an international protest concerning Guantanamo Bay on Jan 11th, prompted by the catholic Workers in the US and Amnesty International among others. In Dublin we were in solidarity.

In spite of high winds and heavy intermittent rain between 30 and 35 people protested against the existence of Guantanamo prison and its human rights abuses under the aegis of the US government. The protest took place between12 noon and 2 pm on Thursday, 11 January 2006, the fifth anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees to the prison. The message to the US President was SHUT DOWN GUANTANAMO' S INFAMOUS PRISON"

Among the protestors were four dressed in the orange suits of Camps 3 and 2 of Guantanamo itself - to show that the inmates there who have not been either charged or convicted have our solidarity and support for their immediate release. For those who have been charged, a call for immediate fair trial outside of a death-sentence threatening military tribunal. Implicit in the protest was a call for a respect for human rights, concern for human tragedy and a strong criticism of the present US administration.

Central to the protest was Colm Roddy who knelt on the wet grass in orange boiler suit for most of the two hours. Elaine O'Sullivan made a magnificent banner especially for the occasion. About 150 leaflets were distributed. Several groups took part, including Labour Youth with another large banner.

The protest was covered on RTE radio and TV.

This day's protest was also in solidarity with those in Amsterdam, Holland; Bahrain, Boise, Idaho, Chicago, Illinois, Corvallis, Oregon, Duluth, Minnesota, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Humboldt County, CA, London, UK, Managua, Nicaragua, Miami, Florida, New Haven, CT, New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, San Francisco, CA, Saratoga Springs, NY, Sydney, Australia, Syracuse, New York, in which the catholic worker movement is an inspiration; also in solidarity with the 25 or more activists who have traveled to Guantanamo on the day.