UK Indymedia - UK Guantánamo Newswire Archive

USA: thrill killings in Afghanistan

25-09-2011 09:13

American soldier admits to thrill kill in Afghanistan .... An US soldier admitted to a judge yesterday that it was a “bad decision” to fire a machine gun at an unarmed teenager while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Private Andrew Holmes, 21, pled guilty to the murder of a civilian yesterday, a year after initially proclaiming his innocence. Speaking in a military courtroom outside of Seattle, Washington on Thursday, Holmes took responsibility for the killing and also admitted to drug use and keeping a finger from the victim as a souvenir.

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Shut Down Guantanamo and Bagram! Afghan War 10th anniv. demo, 7 Oct, 6-7pm

21-09-2011 10:12

Friday 7 October: 6-7pm: Shut Down Guantánamo and Bagram! demonstration – Afghan War 10th Anniversary Special

US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE (nearest tube: Bond Street / Marble Arch)

Friday 7th October 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the war in Afghanistan. Ten years on, thousands of civilians have died and many more face the threat of death through strikes by US unmanned drone attacks. The end of the war seems no closer.

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Gaza children’s images of war censored

13-09-2011 21:28

Gaza children’s images of war censored under pressure from US Israel lobby .... Pro-Israel organizations pressured an Oakland children’s museum to cancel an upcoming exhibition of drawings made by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. ...The censored drawings were created through local children’s mental health initiatives in Gaza immediately following Israel’s attacks in the winter of 2008-09, during which approximately 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 300 children, were killed.

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Boycott Dirty Harry in Brighton North Laines

10-09-2011 15:53

Tell the proprietors of Dirty Harry to stop selling "Joke" Guantanamo Bay orange boiler suits.

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Britain’s Secret Post-9/11 Torture Policy Revealed

05-08-2011 20:25

As the British government's toothless torture inquiry is abandoned by ten NGOs and lawyers for the former Guantánamo prisoners, who have long recognised that it was nothing more than a whitewash, but have now given up on even trying to engage with it, politicians n the Tory-led coalition government are not the only ones feeling the heat. Yesterday, in a world exclusive, the Guardian's Ian Cobain exposed a top secret document, entitled, "Agency policy on liaison with overseas security and intelligence services in relation to detainees who may be subject to mistreatment," which "reveal[ed] how MI6 and MI5 officers were allowed to extract information from prisoners being illegally tortured overseas."

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YOUTUBE (13mins)-Guantanamo Guard Demands EndTorture, CloseGitmo &Justice 4Hicks

25-07-2011 18:13

YOUTUBE (13mins)-Former U.S. Military Guantanamo Guard Demands End to Torture, Closure of Gitmo & Justice or David Hicks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrNN07qTG7Y&feature=player_embedded

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"...Liberty and Justice for all"? Prisoner Solidarity Protest, US Embassy,4 July

06-07-2011 09:23

The London Guantánamo Campaign marked American Independence Day on 4 July with a political prisoner solidarity protest in the evening outside the US Embassy in Mayfair. Around 25 people attended.

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Prisoner Solidarity Protest - US Embassy, 4 July, 6-8pm

01-07-2011 11:51

Demonstration in support of all political prisoners with a UK-US link on American Independence Day - from British residents in Guantánamo Bay, individuals being extradited to the US under a one-sided extradition treaty, Welsh-American alleged Wikileaks whistleblower, UK campaigns for political prisoners in the US...solidarity with one and all!

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Report: The US/NATO War in Libya

30-06-2011 22:41

Cynthia McKinney Report on the Struggle Against the US/NATO War in Libya ... From Cynthia McKinney: A hearty group of protesters representing several community organizations showed up today to protest the vote of civil rights icon and Member of Congress from Atlanta, John Lewis, to continue funding for the bombing of Libya. The Congressman interrupted his schedule and heard the frustrations of his constituents who are outraged at the quiescence of Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Progressive Caucus in light of President Obama's policy to bomb Africa.

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Public rally in support of victims of torture: 26 June (report and pictures)

27-06-2011 19:17

Since 1998, this date, the anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Torture becoming international law in 1987, has been “an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable” (Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General). Unfortunately, rather than reduce or eliminate the use of torture, the stated purpose of such international conventions and laws, making the use of torture absolutely prohibited, its use continues to spread across the globe with the collusion and connivance of almost all governments.

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NATO: Invasion of Libya

26-06-2011 22:00

Libya as a new litmus test if the “21st Century Law of the Jungle“ will prevail ..... Arrival of the “21st Century cowboy gangster-style” imperialism instead the much-anticipated co-prosperous multipolar world of mutually-respecting, democratically consensus-building, respectfully dialoguing, non-interfering of sovereign nations’ internal affairs ... Libya seems going to be a new litmus test for the immediate future of 21st Century international relations if, by any means necessary, the US-led NATO in the form of multinational “cowboy[i] gangster[ii]-style robbery[iii]” completes its extremely greedy and hypocritical goals in a immensely natural and financial resource-rich North African nation.

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Public Rally in Support of Victims of Torture, Trafalgar Square, 26 June, 2-4pm

23-06-2011 12:53

In spite of laws to protect human rights, torture remains prevalent throughout the world. Men, women, children and entire communities are subject to unspeakable atrocities and the effects that live with them long after the violence ends. We invite you to come and stand up against these atrocities, and join us in solidarity with the victims.

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What NATO Is Doing In Libya

22-06-2011 20:43

"Just a day after admitting killing 9 civilians in an airstrike, NATO has been accused by the Libyan authorities of causing at least another 15 deaths.
"NATO confirmed they had carried out another bombing, but has not responded to the allegations of civilian casualties.
"An RT crew in Tripoli has shot some shocking footage of bodies mutilated in NATO bombings."
M O R E: ...

http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-nato-is-doing-in-libya.html ...

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Public Rally in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June, Trafalgar Square, 2-4pm

15-06-2011 14:46

26 June is UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In spite of laws to protect them, men, women, children and entire communities all around the world have to live with the consequences of torture meted out by state authorities. Torture is illegal. Join us on this day to show solidarity with victims. Also the final day of Refugee Week 2011, it should not be forgotten that many refugees have fled torture.

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The Truth About Libya !

15-06-2011 13:14

German Foreign Minister Violates Libya's Sovereignty, Visits Benghazi Terrorists .... African revolutionary leader: Germany now open for Africans without visas ....... German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrived in the city of Benghazi in Eastern Libya which has been held to ransom by Islamist rebels fighting against the Libyan government, in violation of Libya's sovereignty. Westerwelle did not seek permission from the Libyan government nor obtain any visa for his visit.

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Babar Ahmad Police Trial: A Verdict Based on Fear, not Fact?

14-06-2011 18:35

They say a week is a long time in politics. How about almost eight years, and counting, in the criminal “justice” system, with no end in sight. For Babar Ahmad, last Friday (3 June) saw the end of the trial of four police officers accused of assaulting him.

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Squaring up to Guantanamo

31-05-2011 14:55

A recent flurry of activity by the London Guantanamo Campaign (LGC) and its supporters sought to capitalise on President Obama's UK state visit (24-26 May) and the Royal Wedding (29 April) to press home two of their key demands:

1. The return of two men with ties to the UK still being held in Guantanamo indefinitely without charge, namely former British residents Shaker Aamer and Ahmed Belbacha;

2. The closure of Guantanamo, Bagram and other illegal US detention facilities.

The group's activities included two living statues actions on box plinths in Parliament Square, a petition hand-delivered to 10 Downing Street, a protest outside Buckingham Palace and a statement signed by prominent individuals and organisations.

Pre-Royal Wedding Statues in Parliament Square - 27-28 April

Individuals associated with LGC and Peace Strike, dressed in orange jumpsuits and black hoods, posed for several hours atop Peace Strikes’s boxes-cum-plinths in Parliament Square in the days leading up to the Royal Wedding, catching the attention of hordes of visitors and photographers.

Photos

Video

Obama State Visit - 24-26 May

Downing Street Petition - Monday 23 May

On the day before Obama's arrival in the UK from his trip to Ireland, Maria Gallastegui from Peace Strike delivered a petition by hand to 10 Downing Street calling on the Prime Minister to raise the cases of Shaker Aamer and Ahmed Belbacha and demand the closure of Guantánamo during his talks with the US President.

Buckingham Palace - Tuesday 24 May Several LGC supporters joined a protest outside Buckingham Palace organised by the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign as Obama banqueted with the Queen. The demonstration took place alongside those of the Stop the War coalition and others. Among the orange-suited protesters were a pair wearing Obama and Cameron masks, which caught the attention of the multitude of photographers and reporters who were present, including those of the *Associated Press, who reported the following:

"Just beyond the palace's black-and-gold gates, about a dozen orange-jumpsuit clad demonstrators were rallying for the freedom of Guantamano [sic] Bay detainee Shaker Aamer, a former British resident who had been held without charge for some nine years. One man wore plastic shackles and an Obama mask."

Photos:

Parliament Square Statues Mk II - Wednesday 25 May

On the second day of Obama’s state visit, the London Guantánamo Campaign and Peace Strike held a day-long vigil in Parliament Square. Three LGC supporters, dressed once again in orange jumpsuits, one wearing an Obama mask (and sometimes a Cameron mask) and shackles and the other two wearing black hoods, posed for six hours straight atop Peace Strikes's boxes-cum-plinths as Obama addressed the two houses inside the Palace of Westminster. The protesters would have been visible to the President and his entourage as the motorcade drove out of the gates.

Photos:

http://tinyurl.com/3lvapj9

http://www.demotix.com/news/704093/protesters-against-obama-action-london?destination=search/context/query/guantanamo%20parliament%20obama/sort/relevance

http://www.demotix.com/news/703920/guantanamo-bay-activists-protest-outside-parliament
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL_ru8YbXS8

Joint Statement

Finally, the LGC put out a short statement addressed to the Prime Minister, signed by nearly 50 prominent campaigners, politicians, human rights lawyers, former Guantánamo prisoners and others. Amongst the signatories were journalists John Pilger and Andy Worthington; actress Kika Markham; John McDonnell MP; Jean Lambert MEP, Sarah Ludford MEP; and CND's Kate Hudson. The letter called upon David Cameron to use the occasion of President Obama's visit to press for the closure of Guantánamo Bay and the return to the UK of Shaker Aamer and Ahmed Belbacha. It was sent to the Guardian and Independent newspapers, but not published by either.

You can view the text of the letter and the full list of signatories here: http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/2011/05/unpublished-letters-from-obamas-visit.html

LGC also issued a press release ahead of Obama's arrival in the UK: http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/2011/05/press-release-campaigners-urge-prime.html

In addition, Aisha Maniar from the LGC had a comment piece published on the Open Democracy website: http://www.opendemocracy.org.uk/ourkingdom/aisha-maniar/guantanamo-bay-shadow-cast-over-special-relationship

See also:

http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2011/05/26/during-obamas-uk-visit-shaker-aamers-children-and-campaigners-call-for-his-return-from-guantanamo

http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2011/05/23/during-state-visit-by-barack-obama-amnesty-international-asks-david-cameron-to-call-for-return-from-guantanamo-of-shaker-aamer

Upcoming LGC events:

Shut Down Guantánamo monthly demonstration

The LGC’s monthly demonstrations continue, with the next one taking place on Friday, 3 June:

12 - 1pm - US Embassy, Grosvenor Square (opposite main entrance)
1.15 - 2.15pm - Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park (on pavement outside)

Rally to mark International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - Sunday 26 June, Trafalgar Square

This rally is being organised with Kingston Peace Council. Confirmed speakers include: Andy Worthington, author of The Guantánamo Files and co-director of Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo; Maya Evans from Justice Not Vengeance; Ilyas Townsend from the Justice for Aafia Coalition; Naomi Colvin from UK Friends of Bradley Manning; and Maria Gallastegui from Peace Strike.

Further details:
http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/2011/05/26-june-public-rally-in-support-of.html

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225756180784961#!/event.php?eid=225756180784961

Other actions you can take:

Add your name to the LGC’s open letter to President Obama regarding Shaker Aamer: http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/2011/03/sign-our-open-letter-to-president-obama.html

Ask your MP to sign EDM 1093 on Guantánamo Bay: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-11/1093

Links:

London Guantánamo Campaign
http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com
http://londonguantanamo.org.uk

Peace Strike
http://peacestrike.org

Andy Worthington’s blog
http://www.andyworthington.co.uk

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Urgent Appeal From Libya

26-05-2011 20:23

Hear this call on behalf of millions of Libyans now facing a new stage in the increasingly indiscriminate bombing of NATO that is now targeting civilian infrastructure with exponentially increasing civilian casualties. He only asks you to do a few simple things. Get organized! .........

http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=626909

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NATO: Cluster Bombing of Misrata

26-05-2011 13:53

On the 15th April 2011, during the day, sub-munitions of a MAT-120 cluster bomb were shown to Human Rights Watch (HRW) and C.J. Chivers, a journalist for the New York Times, in Misrata. On that evening, during ongoing clashes between rebel and loyalist forces, Human Rights Watch workers witnessed 3 or 4 cluster munitions landing in residential areas of Misrata. HRW attest to further subsequent such bombings. Civilians were killed in these attacks and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned: .........

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NATO the military arm of world fascism

20-05-2011 17:14

Africa: Battleground For NATO's 21st Century Strategic Concept ......... NATO the military arm of world fascism -- leading NATO analyst Rick Rozoff takes a look at some of its plans ... The war by major North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states against Libya is in its third month and has been conducted under the official auspices of NATO for the past fifty days. According to the military bloc’s daily online tally [1], Alliance military aircraft have flown over 7,200 missions and more than 2,800 combat flights since NATO inaugurated so-called Operation Unified Protector on March 31.

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