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Amnesty Protest in Nottingham City Centre - Close Guantanamo Bay [Please]

Tash [alan lodge] | 11.03.2007 14:35 | Guantánamo | Anti-militarism | Repression | Terror War

Amnesty Protest in Nottingham City Centre - Close Guantanamo Bay [Please]

The University of Nottingham's Amnesty International Society's held a protest against the continuing human rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay.

On Saturday the 10th of March folks protested against the continuing human rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay. It is now over five years since the first detainees were transferred to the detention camp and despite widespread international condemnation, hundreds of people from more than 30 nationalities remain there: without charge and with little hope of obtaining a fair trial.

Enough is enough! Guantánamo Bay is a symbol of injustice and abuse. It must be closed down.

Following the spectacular success of the earlier AIUK silent protest in Central London outside the US embassy, The University of Nottingham’s Amnesty International Society thus staged a similar silent protest in Long Row East in Nottingham city centre [next to the City Hall], where each participant was decked out with a Guantanamo Bay style orange jump suit.

Concurrent with this demo, a contingent of the orange ones, went to the local Starbucks Coffee House, in Clumber Street.Starbucks has an outlet in Guantanamo Bay. They proudly support the US military.

A company spokesman has said: “We refrain from taking a position on the legality of the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay”. The company also states: “Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel. We are extremely grateful to the men and women who serve stateside and overseas. We sincerely appreciate that they are willing to risk their lives to protect Americans and our values of freedom and democracy.” So, there you have it.

Anyway, the organisers had asked, and gained permission from the authorities, a month ago. However, I saw the first two policemen, come round the corner on patrol, and their faces were a picture of suprise. So, nobody had told them ........ As usual, the Community Protection officers and the Police Community Support Officers [half-constables] just had to get involved also. Clearly, since those protesting needed support and protection.

I understand many signatores where collected for the petition, and a large number of leaflets handed out, explaining what it's all about.

Alan Simpson, MP for Nottingham South, joined in the protest about half way through. Very much in support of those there, he wished all well. Further, he was kind enough to do a short interview for Indymedia.

Well done to those involved!!

For further info and to get involved contact-  suamnestysoc@nottingham.ac.uk

Amnesty International Society - University of Nottingham  http://su.nottingham.ac.uk/~amnesty

Amnesty International  http://www.amnesty.org.uk

The National Guantanamo Coalition  http://www.guantanamo.org.uk

Tackle the Shackles, Close Guantanamo  http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/01/359937.html

Sheffield G8 Events: Guantanamo Bay orange jump suits  http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/06/314498.html

Amnesty protest over Guantanamo Bay in Nottingham :: report with audio
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2007/03/364789.html

London's Guantanamo Demos : Contains Radio piece for Resonance show - Monday 12th March, 10.30-11.30pm [thanks ftp]
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/364804.html


*****


previous Nottingham University Peace Matters:

Protests as arms dealers attend Careers Fair
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/325974.html

Lt.General Arif Hassan, of the Pakistan Army, Nottingham University
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/11/327548.html

Prime Minister visits Nottingham University
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/01/331554.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/01/331575.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/01/331596.html

'Overcoming Media Bias' Nottingham Student Peace Peace Conference
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/02/334602.html

Student Peace Conference :: University of Nottingham
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/03/334976.html

Die-In at Nottingham University to protest at un-ethical investments
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340171.html

Sounds on the Downs,Nottingham University
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348061.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348082.html

____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@gn.apc.org
Web:  http://tash.gn.apc.org
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________

Tash [alan lodge]
- e-mail: tash@indymedia.org
- Homepage: http://tash.gn.apc.org

Additions

Starbucks - Profiting from Torture

12.03.2007 12:52

In addition to the organised protests, some people made a visit to the nearest branch of Starbucks to highlight the company's support for the Guantanamo torture camp. After making several customers rather uncomfortable they were asked to leave by a member of staff who didn't believe that his employers would open a branch at Guantanamo Bay. Well here's what the company has to say:

"Starbucks does not physically operate a store or sell coffee to military troops on Guantanamo Bay; rather our coffee is served in dining facilities operated by Naval Supply (NASUP), headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia"

However, Starbucks also say that they "... refrain from taking a position on the legality of the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay" and that "Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel."

They certainly aren't bothered about minor irritations like torture and detention without trial getting in the way of their profits. For people who, like the worker at Starbucks, don't know much about Guantanamo, here are some facts:-

There are approximately 460 prisoners held at Guantanamo, and about 300 others have been released (without charge) or transferred to other governments.

Inmates are classed as "enemy combatants" rather than prisoners of war (POWs) in order to evade the protections of the Geneva Convention.

According to the Administration, the prisoners in Guantanamo may never be granted a trial, either military or civil, and may be detained until the end of the war on terrorism (i.e. indefinitely).

There have been 41 'official' suicide attempts at the camp. Defense lawyers contend the number of suicide attempts is higher.

At times as many as 131 inmates have been on hunger strike. Force-feeding methods including the use of a restraint chair have been used to keep them alive.

No one in Guantanamo Bay has been convicted of an offence.

For information on other actions see the following links:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/birmingham/2006/10/354093.html
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/06/341924.html

IMCer


Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. Good demo — robin ludd
  2. Excellent Demonstration — John Shemeld
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