The Tide is Turning in the Fight to Close Guantanamo

Yesterday, a heated debate took place on the Senate floor over an amendment proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham that would have prevented the 9/11 defendants from facing justice in U.S. federal courts. It did not pass. In a major victory for our campaign to close Guantanamo the Senate rejected this attempt to derail Guantanamo's closure and prevent the United States from rebuilding our reputation.

The voices of dozens of retired military leaders, experienced prosecutors, correctional officers, and committed activists who all want to see Guantanamo swiftly closed -- and understand that our institutions are up to the job of dealing with terrorist suspects -- is starting to break through and be heard by Congress. As we await the announcement of President Obama's plan to close Guantanamo, we can be hopeful that the tide of fear-mongering that has muddied this debate is being to ebb.

Victories like this take work. Last night on the Senate floor, Senator Patrick Leahy pointed to the bipartisan declaration signed by 120 prominent Americans including former Members of Congress, high-ranking military officials and judges, that Human Rights First partnered with the Constitution Project to organize. As today's Wall Street Journal noted, "Hours after the petition's release, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have barred prosecuting Guantanamo inmates in federal court."
Also yesterday, Human Rights First traveled to Michigan where a debate has been underway over whether Guantanamo detainees will be sent to the Standish prison facility. Two retired military leaders who traveled there with us had their message of support for closing Guantanamo appear in an op-ed published in the Detroit Free Press.

Most importantly, this victory took the help of people all across the country. Within hours of sounding the alarm, thousands took action, sending messages to their Senators letting them know that they opposed this destructive amendment.

Join us in this important effort to make sure Guantanamo is closed. You can sign up to help and stay informed on our website and on Facebook.

 

Comments

[duxguts]

But on the bright side, Sardinia has said they will accept three of the Marine guards.

[marignymitch]

I do appreciate your thoughts on the matter, but I'm afraid we'll close Gitmo after we leave Iraq and Afghanistan. Which means don't hold your breath; it ain't closing.

[DocTwain]

With respect, I don't buy that closing Guantamo should take a whole lot of "work" or advocacy or volunteering, etc.

The Democrats were elected with a mandate, and that included closing Guantanamo.
Why don't they close it already? It's a year after Obama was elected.
"Swiftly closed"? I'm afraid it's rather too late for that.

The process is being protracted so every Centrist in Congress can pose for a group picture and take credit for doing something they should have done in February. But these are the same Democrats who voted for the Iraq War. They introduce Amendments, they defeat Amendments, blah blah blah. It makes me sick to think of these plutocratic dinosaurs like Dodd, Kerry, etc., wallowing in their self importance. They are corrupt incompetents and every one of them should lose his seat in 2010 so that they can go work as consultants, lobbyists, and executives for the industrial cartels whose interests they aggressively and brazenly represent against the public interest. At least that way everything will be open and above-board, and we won't have to stomach their hypocrisy.