May 3, 2008 - Duke University, Durham NC Report: "Waterboarding, Ghost Planes, and Guantánamo: Inside America's Secret War," A Conference and Strategy Session More than 50 people gathered to listen to Moazzam Begg, former Bagram and Guantánamo detainee and co-author of Enemy Combatant;
....John Yoo, author of the infamous Bush “torture memo,” and former Attorney General John Ashcroft both agreed to testify at an upcoming hearing. And in a bold “we mean business” move, at a packed, standing-room only hearing, a House Judiciary subcommittee gave Judiciary Chairman John Conyers the power to issue a subpoena to David Addington, Vice President Cheney’s Chief of Staff.
Now, just hours ago, Judiciary Chairman John Conyers used that authority and issued Mr Addington a subpoena, compelling him to testify on June 26, at 10am.
Raleigh News and Observer, David Bracken, Staff Writer
DURHAM - The activists who attended Saturday's anti-torture conference at Duke University admit the challenge facing them is daunting.
How do they get the wider American public to engage on an issue that has become mired in partisan battles over the war in Iraq and the larger war on terrorism?
NCSTN is part of more exciting news as momentum builds...
Christina Cowger has been invited to represent NC STN at a workshop at the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) conference in Chicago on April 19. The other presenters are Steven Watt from ACLU and Maria LaHood from Center for Constitutional Rights, and they were eager to get NC STN’s work on display at this conference.
Link to the conference: http://www.ushrnetwork.org/conference_2008. The USHRN, which is based in Atlanta, has a broad perspective on human rights, encompassing Gulf Coast issues, prisons, immigration, housing, etc.
Our workshop is called “Using International Law in U.S. Courts.” The attorneys will talk about cases brought in U.S. courts attempting to enforce international law norms against government officials, both United States officials and foreign officials. Cowger will talk about the multi-faceted approach NCSTN has been using to build a grassroots statewide coalition with national and international alliances.
From the workshop blurb: ‘The panel hopes to facilitate a discussion among participants [on] how to address these obstacles, whether through litigation, legislation, organizing, or other strategies….The panel hopes to incorporate the human rights framework by discussing the application of human rights norms in U.S. courts and how to challenge the practical reality that officials from powerful governments cannot be held to account for human rights violations, which also threatens to undermine respect for and enforcement of human rights globally. The panel relates to the USHRN Principles of Unity addressing anti-oppression because the cases addressed have been brought by the victims of the human rights violations, who are primarily Arab Muslim victims of a so-called “war on terror.”’
Billy J Murray has been awarded a grant by UNC for her service learning course to work with NCSTN as a community partner. Ms. Murray will be teaching the course 3 times over the next 3-4 semesters beginning in the fall. We can't wait to meet her students.
Torture has traditionally been associated with the bad guys, or the villians, or the "terrorists." Today, thanks in large part to Emmy and Golden Globe award winning shows like "24," torture is now being spun as an acceptable tool and practice for even the good guys and the heroes.
Apparently, Kiefer Sutherland as "Agent Jack Bauer" knows better than a large collection of top military brass, statesmen, humanitarian leaders, philosophers, law-makers, and statesmen who, throughout history, have steadfastly rebuked and indicted the practice of torture, first as ineffective, and second as a crime against humanity.
Nonetheless, Sutherland makes his case in the "24," that torture is more than just "A-O-K" for good guys too... forever tainting his legacy with a performance that is nothing less than complicit in an effort to justify disgusting and inhumane treatment of potentially innocent human beings.
Congratulations to the winners! Great job capturing the energy & spirit of the 10/27/07 Action at Aero.
"You Can't Hide Torture"
Despite threats, harrassment, and attempts to disrupt the event, anti-torture peace activists hold a successful memorial service on 10/27/07 for torture victims. Peaceful Veterans, Faith Based Citizens, and True Patriots Hold Successful Non-violent Memorial Action at Aero Contractors.
Aero Contractors, Smithfield NC October 27, 2007 - About 120 anti-torture protestors joined together for a "Walk of Remembrance" memorial for victims of torture. In groups of 8-10, participants quietly carried portraits of victims down the road to Aero's gates, where they were confronted by counter-protestors attempting to disrupt the event.
Walk of Remembrance @ Aero 10/27/07
These videos capture much of the confrontation and also the resistance of violence by the well-prepared anti-torture group.
AntiWar and AntiTorture protestors march through downtown Smithfield NC in protest of the local company Aero Contractors that has served as a center of operations for extraordinary renditions in the US torture and interrogation program.
Smithfield Peace and Anti-Torture Rally and March 10/27/07
Press Conference held on 10/26/07 at the NC Legislative building to announce the upcoming AntiWar and AntiTorture Rally in Smithfield NC and Aero Contractors. Speakers include Christina Cowger, Walt Caison, Art Eccleston, Chuck Fager, Roger Ehrlich, and NC Senator Ellie Kinnaird.
www.NCStopTortureNow.orgPhotosProfileFriends
Tools 
Print
