Fast and Vigil for Justice - Final Report

From January 11 - January 22, over one hundred and fifty people spent the last 12 days fasting, vigiling, lobbying and then, finally, engaging in civil disobedience to call for a closure of Guantanamo and an end to all torture. Below is a short summary of our daily activities and links to some reflections. Be sure to poke around witnesstorture.org for a bounty of videos, photos, press clippings and more.

From January 11 - January 22,  over one hundred and fifty people spent the last 12 days fasting, vigiling, lobbying and then, finally, engaging in civil disobedience to call for a closure of Guantanamo and an end to all torture. Below is a short summary of our daily activities and links to some reflections. Be sure to poke around witnesstorture.org for a bounty of videos, photos, press clippings and more.

At the close the "Fast for Justice," the news here in Washington for the men in Guantanamo is not good. Not only has the deadline for Guantanamo's closure been missed, but the Obama administration has announced an indefinite detention scheme, currently focused on 50 men being held in Guantanamo. Instead of celebrating a year marked by progress made towards the closure of Guantanamo, we find ourselves saddened by broken promises, broken laws and broken lives.

As we gathered for a closing circle in Washington, DC, one in the group shared "the witness is over, but the work continues." That is precisely correct. We will be organizing around the trial for those arrested on January 21st, and will continue to gather, reflect, plan and act on behalf of those in Guantanamo, Bagram, and other US prisons. Please join us by sharing your talents, ideas, resources, and time as we continue to gather in community to answer the question, "what can we do together that we cannot do alone?"

REFLECTIONS & VIDEOS

Every day over the course of the Fast people gathered together for reflections; some these reflections became written pieces that we posted to our website. In addition, Witness Against Torture member Mike Benedetti produced a daily video report on each day of the Fast. Here are a few suggested links.

• Video, Fast Day 5: John Yoo protest
• Video, Fast Day 11: Two Guantanamo protests at US Capitol; 42 arrested
• A Reflection on Salah, Mani and Yasser, by Witness Against Torture
• Courage, Muslim Brother, You Do Not Walk Alone, by Judith Kelly and Sherrill Hogen
• Tough Minds, Tender Hearts, by Kathy Kelly

DAILY REPORTS

Day 1

On the 8-year anniversary of Guantanamo, over 75 gathered at the White House, many wearing orange jumpsuits and black hoods, for street theater and speakers followed by a solemn procession to the National Press Club for a briefing.

Day 2

While some fasters lobbied at Congressional offices, two dozen participated in a somber "prisoner walk" through the halls of the Senate Hart Building.

Day 3

The day was filled with lobby visits, a procession around the Supreme Court and Capital Hill, and another "prisoner walk" through the Senate Hart Building.

Day 4

The day was spent on organizing, preparation and a vigil at sundown at the White House.

Day 5

We protested former Justice Department attorney and torture memo author John Yoo at an event where he spoke about his new book.

Day 6

Witness Against Torture joined the "Peace of the Action" rally focused on the CIA's use of drones at the CIA headquarters.

Day 7

We spent the day in retreat, reflection, and planning for our second week of the "Fast for Justice."

Day 8

We gathered together for a conference call with the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, attended a civil rights event at the Museum of American History, and later participated in a discussion with survivors of torture from TASSC International at St. Stephen's.

Day 9

In the early morning we held a vigil at the Pentagon with our 40-foot "Close Guantanamo" banner; in the evening we returned to the White House.

Day 10

After a processing to the White House for a press conference with CodePINK, we made our way to the Senate Hart building for another "ghost" presence.

Day 11

Forty-two people were arrested after simultaneous actions inside and outside the U.S. Capitol building.

Day 12

All the arrestees were arraigned, released and charged with unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. Later we gathered at Stephen's to break our 12-day fast together.

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