On January 11, 2024, NC Stop Torture Now held a vigil to mourn and protest the opening of Guantanamo prison, now in operation for 22 shameful years. We protested outside the office of Rep. Deborah Ross for her failure to take any action in support of accountability for torture or closure of Guantanamo, including refusal to a letter about closing the prison led by Rep. David Price. She is in a safe seat — standing up for what’s right would not compromise her likelihood of re-election. Rep. Ross’ constituents have been urging her to take action on torture for years.
Four quick action steps below the photo gallery!
Program:
- Catherine Read, MC, NC Stop Torture Now
- Manzoor Cheema, organizer for Muslims for Social Justice
- Daniel Bowes, member/co-founder, NC Second Chance Alliance and Vigil for Freedom and Racial Justice
- Nick Courmon, Community Engagement Coordinator, NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
- Raging Grannies
Our speakers connected the dots between the US “war on terror,” Islamophobia and racism, and abusive over-incarceration and racist over-sentencing here at home. Here are steps we can all take to help:
(1) Contribute to the Guantanamo Survivors Fund to help those transferred out of the prison rebuild their health and their lives.
(2) Email Rep. Deborah Ross and call on her to speak out for the prompt closure of the Guantanamo prison. Rep. Ross has consistently refused to support closing Guantanamo and bringing accountability for NC’s extensive role in renditions to torture.
(3) Join the new statewide postcard campaign of the NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; call on Gov. Cooper to commute all NC death sentences.
(4) Call on Gov. Roy Cooper to reduce mass incarceration and work to decarcerate North Carolina; sign the letter sponsored by Decarcerate Now! NC.