Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 9, 2014 0:00:18 GMT -8
Anni and I are thinking about going to a vigil, rally and march to close Guantanamo this Saturday afternoon, January 11, starting in Santa Monica Palisades Park, on the occasion of the prison's 12th anniversary. We learned about it Tuesday in an e-mail from CODEPINK LA, which mentioned that among the speakers will be Virginia Classick of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, one of the event's co-sponsors. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace has some of the details on a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/500729543374810 |
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Jan 9, 2014 9:20:01 GMT -8
You go kids!! I am tempted, but I have 3 other things on Saturday and the westside traffic could really mess me up if I tried adding this. Anni and I are thinking about going to a vigil, rally and march to close Guantanamo this Saturday afternoon, January 11, starting in Santa Monica Palisades Park, on the occasion of the prison's 12th anniversary. We learned about it Tuesday in an e-mail from CODEPINK LA, which mentioned that among the speakers will be Virginia Classick of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, one of the event's co-sponsors. Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace has some of the details on a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/500729543374810 |
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jan 12, 2014 1:37:45 GMT -8
We went, and we were glad we did. Although only 70 people by our count showed up in Santa Monica Palisades Park overlooking the pier, where the tourist buses and taxis hang out, the sight of five hooded Guantanamo prisoners kneeling in their orange suits was arresting. Lined up around them, holding banners and signs, were representatives of NRCAT, ICUJP and other organizations as the speakers addressed a smaller crowd across the walkway from Colorado Avenue. Because of all the endorsers, I expected a bigger turnout. We saw no evidence of anybody from CODEPINK LA, for instance, and they sent out an e-mail promoting the event.
As the sun set, we marched on the sidewalk to the outdoor 3rd Street Promenade mall. Along the way, I stopped to talk to a sweet and curious cab driver who didn't remember hearing about Guantanamo in the past 12 years. Another cabbie offered to tell him, so I joined the group gathering at the fountain on Broadway. There, the prisoners took off their hoods and told their stories beautifully. We then marched down the middle of the mall to Wilshire, singing "Close Guantanamo" to the tune of "Guantanamera," accompanied by an activist on acoustic guitar. The regular Promenade street musicians paused and offered their appreciation as we passed.
Anni and I held the lead banner until the group turned around for another march down the mall. She'll post a few photos in this thread.
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anni
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Post by anni on Jan 13, 2014 10:17:49 GMT -8
Although only 70 people by our count showed up in Santa Monica Palisades Park overlooking the pier, where the tourist buses and taxis hang out, the sight of five hooded Guantanamo prisoners kneeling in their orange suits was arresting. Lined up around them, holding banners and signs, were representatives of NRCAT, ICUJP and other organizations as the speakers addressed a smaller crowd across the walkway from Colorado Avenue.  Here, the prisoners took off their hoods and told their stories beautifully:  We then marched down the middle of the mall to Wilshire, singing "Close Guantanamo" to the tune of "Guantanamera," accompanied by an activist on acoustic guitar. The regular Promenade street musicians paused and offered their appreciation as we passed.  |
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Post by Jeanne on Jan 13, 2014 18:11:33 GMT -8
Thank you for going, and reporting and sharing pictures. Did Virginia speak?
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anni
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Post by anni on Jan 13, 2014 18:51:40 GMT -8
You can see Virginia (second from left/with sign) in the first picture, as we did, but we missed her speech, dag nammit.
We arrived at the actual event late. Had no real street number...followed the google map from ICIJP. I also left my phone in the car...about 2 miles in the other direction...Next time we'll do better!
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anni
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Post by anni on Jan 18, 2014 20:36:59 GMT -8
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Jan 19, 2014 16:42:47 GMT -8
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anni
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Post by anni on Feb 6, 2014 21:13:44 GMT -8
This quite professional version of "Close Guantanamo" is sung by Stephen Fiske, the same guy we marched with on January 11.
The video includes clips from our Santa Monica Protest, including a shot of yours truly holding the banner at the end.
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