New Haven Independent

The Bush administration says its detention facility is essential to keeping Americans safe. Speakers at Thursday’s rally, in addition to demanding that the prison be shut down, also called for the repeal of the Military Commissions Act, which Congress passed last fall to legalize the Bush administration’s activities at Guantánamo, where more than 400 prisoners are still being held “” many since the facility opened on Jan. 11, 2002, and all without being charged with a crime. They also called for withholding funds for the proposed $125 million construction of new military courts there; forbidding “torture and all forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”; and paying restitution to current and former detainees and their families for violations of their human rights.

The event was organized by Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice, a statewide interfaith group that has taken a variety of actions to oppose the “War against Terror” and torture in particular. Among the speakers were, from left to right, Rabbi Herb Brockman, Attorney Beth Gilson, who represents one of the Guantánamo prisoners, peace activist Stephen Kobasa and the Rev. Kathleen McTigue.

Three New Haveners donned the iconic orange jumpsuits and black hoods worn by Guantánamo detainees. At the end of the news conference, and before members of the group delivered a habeus petition to the federal court clerk’s office on behalf of the prisoners, many people read the names of some of those being held “” names that are never mentioned in the U.S. media and that it took a lawsuit to pry out of the Bush administration.

Several people hurrying by in the cold said they agreed with the goal of shutting down the prison. Bill Petrillo of New Haven (pictured) said the place is an embarrassment. He added that most of his family and friends agree with him, and he wonders why more people aren’t speaking out. Click here to listen.

Charles Griffith of West Haven said the prisoners should have their day in court, but the U.S. should definitely not shut down the prison at Guantánamo. Click here to listen to his comments.

Organizers read statements from both New Haven area U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Dodd calling for the repeal of the Military Commission Act and the closing of Guantánamo. Dodd is planning to reintroduce legislation that did not pass in the last session of Congress to restore habeas corpus rights for prisoners. He wrote, “Those detainees who are determined to be of no threat to the United States should be released, while ensuring that those who are guilty of crimes are punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

Henry Lowendorf, head of the Greater New Haven Peace Council, wonders who will do the finding of guilt or innocence. He said the U.S., by holding hundreds of prisoners for up to five years with no charges, much less no trials, has been rendered incompetent to serve now in any role to adjudicate the prisoners’ cases. He wants to ask Dodd what procedure he would follow to ensure that justice is done. Click here to listen.