The Houston Chronicle covered the Houston Free Thinkers’ action:
About ten people from the activist group Houston Free Thinkers gathered at the corner, holding signs that read “torture is inhumane” and handing out fliers with information on the Senate Intelligence Committee’s recent report on the C.I.A.’s use of torture…
Broze said the activist group plans on doing more water board simulations in the future and is eager to participate in the Hustle for Humanity 30 Second Waterboard Challenge.
Similar to last summer’s “ice bucket challenge,” the viral video challenge aims to stop torture tactics by offering $300 to anyone who lasts 30 seconds of properly applied waterboarding. Participants who don’t last the full thirty seconds are to make a donation of $30 to the group’s awareness campaign.
Students at University of Miami also acted on January 31:
Joey Miller, a junior political science major, contributed to the protest by creating and distributing informational pamphlets about the cause. Between live-action torture on The Rock and pictures of torture in the pamphlets, he said that visuals would impact spectators most.
“I think the fact that these people saw someone getting water boarded, and saw those pictures, makes it more personal,” Miller said. “You’re seeing real people being treated this way.”
Protesters challenged spectators to try being water boarded themselves. Only one student agreed…