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<td>[ufpj-activist] Activists Occupy National Museum of
American History — Install Torture Exhibit to Mark
Guantánamo Anniversary</td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">Date: </th>
<td>Sat, 11 Jan 2014 18:53:41 -0500</td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">From: </th>
<td>Matthew W. Daloisio <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:daloisio@riseup.net"><daloisio@riseup.net></a></td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">To: </th>
<td>ufpj-activist <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:ufpj-activist@lists.mayfirst.org"><ufpj-activist@lists.mayfirst.org></a></td>
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<h1 class="entry-title">Activists Occupy National Museum of
American History — Install Torture Exhibit to Mark Guantánamo
Anniversary</h1>
<p>Saturday, January 11, 2014: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
PRESS CONTACTS:<br>
Jeremy Varon, <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="tel:732-979-3119"
target="_blank">732-979-3119</a>, <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:jvaron@aol.com" target="_blank">jvaron@<wbr>aol.com<br>
</a>Frida Berrigan, <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="tel:860-389-8566" target="_blank">860-389-8566</a>, <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:frida.berrigan@gmail.com"
target="_blank">frida.<wbr>berrigan@gmail.com</a></p>
<p><a moz-do-not-send="true" class="cboxElement"
href="http://witnesstorture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1-11-14-wide.jpg"><img
style="opacity: 1;" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1430
colorbox-1429" alt="Museum Atrium"
src="cid:part5.04030708.04030801@gmail.com" height="360"
width="550"></a></p>
<p>Vowing to “Make Guantanamo History,” human rights advocates
from around the country marked the beginning of the thirteenth
year of torture and indefinite detention at the prison camp with
a dramatic protest at the National Museum of American History.
150 activists occupied the atrium of the crowded museum for more
than two hours, speaking out against torture and calling for
Guantanamo to close.</p>
<p>The activists hung banners, stood in stress positions in hoods
and jumpsuits, spoke to the tourists, and with their bodies and
voices revised the museum’s “Price of Freedom” exhibit to
include twelve years of torture and indefinite detention as the
bitter cost of the United States’ misguided pursuit of “national
security.”</p>
<p>In a booming chorus, members of Witness Against Torture and
other groups read from a statement that<b> </b>closed with the
lines: “to honor freedom and justice and the struggles of
Americans for these things, we must end torture, close the
prison and make Guantanamo history.”</p>
<p>Chantal deAlcuaz, a Witness Against Torture activist from
Anchorage, Alaska spent the two hours in an orange jumpsuit and
black hood. She reflected that: “We came here today because we
want to see Guantanamo relegated to a museum — to be shuttered
and condemned, but also understood as an example of where fear,
hatred and violence can take us.”</p>
<p>The museum protest followed a robust and spirited rally at the
White House that featured speeches from grassroots activists,
Guantanamo attorneys and representatives of national human
rights organizations.</p>
<p>“It was so great to see the spirit of hope at the White House,
in the streets of DC and at the museum,” said Chris Knestrick, a
divinity student form Chicago. “We definitely moved closer to
our goal of closing Guantanamo today. And the work will
continue!!”</p>
<p>Since Monday, January 6, Witness Against Torture activists from
throughout the country have gathered in Washington, D.C. to
engage in street theater, demonstrations, fasting and direct
action to demand that Guantanamo be closed immediately. There
were also anti-Guantanamo protests and vigils throughout the
country, including in Los Angeles, CA, Boston MA, Chicago IL,
Santa Monica, CA Erie, PA, and Cleveland, OH.</p>
<p><b>Witness Against Torture</b> is a grassroots movement that
came into being in December 2005 when 24 activists walked to
Guantanamo to visit the prisoners and condemn torture policies.
Since then, it has engaged in public education, community
outreach, and non-violent direct action. January 2014 is the
eighth year the group has gathered annually in Washington, DC to
call for justice and accountability. To learn more, visit <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.witnesstorture.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEehDyK1ELu5R52qU8hdMLd6zRoHQ"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.google.com']);"
target="_blank">www.witnesstorture.org</a></p>
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