Center the men: Give today, and remember them on Jan 11

Greetings WAT community -- everyone who has joined us sometime along the way:

On June 26, International Day in Support of Survivors of Torture, President Biden said: “Today, I reaffirm the United States’ dedication to eliminating torture and supporting its victims.”  Biden, and administrations before him, all complicit in the War on Terror, failed to mention that the US has created an entire group of survivors -- many neglected and disposed of -- including but not limited to survivors of Guantanamo.

Instead of providing support, the US government has completely abandoned Guantanamo’s men, leaving most to fend for themselves. While we continue to demand that the US do the right thing and support Guantanamo survivors, we’re not holding our breath — the men have critical needs that cannot wait. As you have worked for their release, you can now help with their support through the Guantanamo Survivors Fund.

We’re asking you, all our supporters, to join us in raising $6,000 on Giving Tuesday, to be matched dollar for dollar, providing for basic needs such as shelter and medical care for Guantanamo survivors. With your tax-deductible donation of $10, $25, $100, $250 or more, the Guantanamo Survivors Fund can play a role in helping the men rebuild their lives.  We hope we can count on you!

In case you missed it, we're excited that in January 2023, Witness Against Torture will again gather in Washington, DC to Fast for Justice. You are welcome to join us virtually or in person. If you haven't RSVP'd, please do so soon to receive details like where we're meeting (email witnesstorture@gmail.com with I'll be there in the subject line). Here's the schedule:

Who we are

Witness Against Torture was formed in 2005 when 25 Americans went to Guantánamo Bay and attempted to visit the detention facility. They began to organize more broadly to shut down Guantánamo, end indefinite detention and torture and call out Islamophobia. During our demonstrations, we lift up the words of the detainees themselves, bringing them to public spaces they are not permitted to access. Witness Against Torture will carry on in its activities until torture is decisively ended, its victims are fully acknowledged, Guantánamo and similar facilities are closed, and those who ordered and committed torture are held to account.