NO Government Spying on Whole Populations
Hands off Snowden & Manning
Close Guantanamo NOW
An Emergency Forum produced by World Can’t Wait on June 19, 2013
240 people came together on short notice in The Great Hall of Cooper Union in NYC, and hundreds more watched online as we united to say “We will not be complicit… We DO NOT Consent.” The room reverberated with outrage, support for Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning, and, in some cases, newly acquired knowledge of the crime against humanity unfolding at Guantanamo, where over 100 prisoners are on a hunger strike.
We clarified the danger of the government surveillance. Speakers challenged us to act at this potentially pivotal moment when the powers that be are engaging in high-stakes damage control to frighten people into submission so that we go along with “the new normal.” The performers brought us together with passion, humor, and drama.
The evening pointed the way forward — a beacon — toward taking responsibility to reach and activate thousands, and then millions, to stop the vast surveillance, and the deep crimes underlying the suppression of dissent. Initial plans, taking the Close Guantanamo NOW message as orientation, to pack the trial of Bradley Manning next week, support him at Pride Parades, and come out for the Guantanamo hunger strikers began to jell.
Highlights:
Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director of The National Lawyers Guild: Government Spying Chills Free Speech
Greetings from David Greenstein with the Cooper Union
Dennis Loo’s tutorial on answering government justifications for surveillance
Aladdin Ullah reading the story of Samir Naji al Hasan Moqbel, published in The New York Times April 14 as Gitmo Is Killing Me
Ray McGovern, with reflections on Nazi Germany
A message from Tom Morello, The Night Watchman, formerly with Rage Against the Machine
Andy Zee, spokesperson for Revolution Books: Time for Courage — Stop Massive U.S. Surveillance!
Excerpts from the play Bradass87
Mike Daisey’s monologue
Statement from the Steering Committee of World Can’t Wait:
Indict the Criminals Responsible for Vast Government Spying — Hands Off Edward Snowden
Comments
On Twitter: #j19 | Audience is now watching war crimes. Some are watching for the first time here. Horrified. https://vine.co/v/hu7Z5U0grmv
Via email: “I was enthralled the entire time….your guests were so very pertinent,” from a Bradley Manning supporter.
Watch now
Action plans
The People’s Lawyer Lynne Stewart is still seeking a “compassionate release” from her unjust prison sentence. Lynne has cancer and yet is absurdly held in federal prison in Texas. The Bureau of Prisons has agreed to release her to a hospital near her home in New York City, but requires the president’s approval.
Lynne is imprisoned on highly political charges of “material support to terrorism” based on her defense of a Muslim cleric in the 1990’s. Her survival is important in its own right, and also because she is fighting to bring her case to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the first challenge to the material support for terrorism statute for its violation of freedom of speech. This is an important case and it affects the entire anti-war, anti-government repression movement.
What you can do
CALL
Attorney General Eric Holder: 202-514-2001
White House President Obama: 202-456-1414
Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels: 202-307-3198 ext 3
SIGN THE PETITION
GO TO DC on Monday June 24 and beyond:
Ralph Poynter, Lynne Stewart’s husband, has begun an ongoing vigil bringing public attention to Lynne’s case for “compassionate release.” “As a society, once again we are at the crossroads between cruelty and our humanity. We must be vigilant. Please join me as I return to Washington, DC on Monday and throughout the week to stand for Lynne Stewart’s release. Come stand for a few hours or for as many days as you can…”
Demand Guantanamo SHUT DOWN NOW!
Join the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Wednesday June 26 Noon – 2:00 pm
White House – 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
There can be no more excuses on Guantánamo. We will be judged by our actions, not our speeches.In Washington DC on June 26th , allies in the struggle to close Guantanamo will meet at The White House for a 12 pm vigil. There will be orange jumpsuits for participants and signs bearing the names of each of the 86 men who have been cleared for release, but are still being held. We are asking for people in jumpsuits to represent the 86 detainees.
There will also be opportunities to participate in nonviolent resistance led by solidarity hunger strikers. Please contact witnesstorture@gmail.com if you are considering participating in nonviolent resistance on June 26. We will meet at 9am the morning of June 26th at St. Stephens to make final plans for the day’s scenario(s). St. Stephen’s: 1525 Newton St NW – Corner of 16th and Newton Streets Washington DC, 20010. Opportunity to take a bus from NYC to DC for the vigil on June 26. (If you choose to particpate in nonviolent resistance, you should make your own way to DC on June 25 to be part of the planning. See above).
Support for Bradley Manning
Trial at Ft. Meade Resumes Tuesday June 25
Supporters of Manning are asked the trial, which could end soon. The sentencing phase is expected to go all summer. Likely trial days each week are Monday-Wednesday, but vary. Come out and show your support for Bradley in person! Details on attending the trial.
Contact World Can’t Wait at nyc@worldcantwait.net for help co-ordinating transportation to Ft. Meade (near Baltimore, MD).