We have a website!
See http://www.wsrcat.org - watch for increasing content.
That address formerly forwarded to this blogsite. To come directly to the blogsite, use http://stopustorture.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
WSRCAT Activist to Speak on Guantanamo May 22
Seattle Chapter Fellowship of Reconciliation presents
Jamie Mayerfeld of Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture on
"Why Guantanamo Is Important to You"
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Potluck 5 p.m., Announcements 6 p.m., Program 6:30 p.m.
at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70 St, Seattle
All are welcome! Free, an offering will be taken. Info 206-789-5565
Human rights advocates held high hopes that President Obama would end the human rights abuses at Guantanamo Prison. Sadly, although torture has decreased, Obama quickly institutionalized indefinite detention without trial for most of the prisoners. Contrary to widespread perception, Obama was not forced into this policy by political circumstances. We will conclude with an action to support the release of one unjustly detained prisoner.
Jamie Mayerfeld is Associate Professor of Political Science and Law, Societies & Justice at the University of Washington. His research focuses on the justification of international human rights institutions and the origins of the U.S. torture policy. His recent articles include "In Defense of the Absolute Prohibition of Torture," Public Affairs Quarterly (2008).
Jamie Mayerfeld of Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture on
"Why Guantanamo Is Important to You"
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Potluck 5 p.m., Announcements 6 p.m., Program 6:30 p.m.
at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70 St, Seattle
All are welcome! Free, an offering will be taken. Info 206-789-5565
Human rights advocates held high hopes that President Obama would end the human rights abuses at Guantanamo Prison. Sadly, although torture has decreased, Obama quickly institutionalized indefinite detention without trial for most of the prisoners. Contrary to widespread perception, Obama was not forced into this policy by political circumstances. We will conclude with an action to support the release of one unjustly detained prisoner.
Jamie Mayerfeld is Associate Professor of Political Science and Law, Societies & Justice at the University of Washington. His research focuses on the justification of international human rights institutions and the origins of the U.S. torture policy. His recent articles include "In Defense of the Absolute Prohibition of Torture," Public Affairs Quarterly (2008).
Sunday, January 16, 2011
ANTI TORTURE WORKSHOP Jan 17, 2011, Seattle
The Martin Luther King Celebration Committee presents the 29th annual region-wide Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration with Workshops, Rally, and March, theme "Many Voices United to Build the Beloved Community"
Monday, January 17, 2011,
starts at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Avenue at East Jefferson, Seattle
9:30 a.m. Workshops, see details of ANTI TORTURE WORKSHOP below
11 a.m.-noon. Rally
12 noon March to Federal Building, 2nd & Marion, downtown Seattle
~1:15 p.m. 2nd Rally at March end, time is approximate
Buses will return marchers to Garfield High School
Information: Eddie Rye, Jr., 206-786-2763, or Larry Gossett 206-296-1002 or larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov, or http://www.MLKseattle.org
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
ANTI TORTURE WORKSHOP
Workshop "There Is No Torture in the Beloved Community"
(This is Workshop #13, and will be held in Garfield High School room 205.)
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., often spoke of the Beloved Community, where conflicts would be resolved nonviolently with the goal of adversaries becoming reconciled. War crimes such as torture make continuing violence more likely and reconciliation less likely. Yet U.S. torture continues and torturers of prior administrations have not been held accountable. Besides being morally unacceptable, politically damaging, and ineffective, torture is illegal according to U.S. and international law. Panelists will present information about U.S. torture and lead a discussion of what we can do to end torture - a requisite step in building a truly Beloved Community.
Facilitator
Rob Crawford, co-founder of Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture (WSRCAT), Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, UWTacoma, with specialty in 20th Century History. WSRCAT includes people of many faiths as well as humanists who oppose torture under any circumstance.
Panelists
David Marshall, Seattle attorney who has represented Guantanamo prisoners since 2006. Mr. Marshall has practiced law for 29 years and specializes in child abuse cases.
Bjoern Meinhardt, Pastor at Vashon Lutheran Church, and active member of WSRCAT
Jamal Rahman, Sufi Muslim leader of Interfaith Community Church who works extensively with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim groups to advance interfaith understanding, has participated in WSRCAT activism
These panelists will be joined by Prof. Jamie Mayerfeld with a brief update on WSRCAT's work on Guantanamo and by Tom Buchanan with a few words about solitary confinement as torture. Each will present a quick action participants can perform.
Monday, January 17, 2011,
starts at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Avenue at East Jefferson, Seattle
9:30 a.m. Workshops, see details of ANTI TORTURE WORKSHOP below
11 a.m.-noon. Rally
12 noon March to Federal Building, 2nd & Marion, downtown Seattle
~1:15 p.m. 2nd Rally at March end, time is approximate
Buses will return marchers to Garfield High School
Information: Eddie Rye, Jr., 206-786-2763, or Larry Gossett 206-296-1002 or larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov, or http://www.MLKseattle.org
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
ANTI TORTURE WORKSHOP
Workshop "There Is No Torture in the Beloved Community"
(This is Workshop #13, and will be held in Garfield High School room 205.)
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., often spoke of the Beloved Community, where conflicts would be resolved nonviolently with the goal of adversaries becoming reconciled. War crimes such as torture make continuing violence more likely and reconciliation less likely. Yet U.S. torture continues and torturers of prior administrations have not been held accountable. Besides being morally unacceptable, politically damaging, and ineffective, torture is illegal according to U.S. and international law. Panelists will present information about U.S. torture and lead a discussion of what we can do to end torture - a requisite step in building a truly Beloved Community.
Facilitator
Rob Crawford, co-founder of Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture (WSRCAT), Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, UWTacoma, with specialty in 20th Century History. WSRCAT includes people of many faiths as well as humanists who oppose torture under any circumstance.
Panelists
David Marshall, Seattle attorney who has represented Guantanamo prisoners since 2006. Mr. Marshall has practiced law for 29 years and specializes in child abuse cases.
Bjoern Meinhardt, Pastor at Vashon Lutheran Church, and active member of WSRCAT
Jamal Rahman, Sufi Muslim leader of Interfaith Community Church who works extensively with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim groups to advance interfaith understanding, has participated in WSRCAT activism
These panelists will be joined by Prof. Jamie Mayerfeld with a brief update on WSRCAT's work on Guantanamo and by Tom Buchanan with a few words about solitary confinement as torture. Each will present a quick action participants can perform.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Human Rights Day March & Rally Dec 11, 2010, Seattle
Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture is proud to support this Human Rights Day event!
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT
Saturday December 11, 2010, rain or shine!
gather 11:30 am at Hing Hay Park, Maynard Ave S at S Jackson St, International District, Seattle
Human Rights Day rally and march 2010 Theme: "Imagine Human Rights" initiated by PUSO (Philippine-United States Solidarity Organization) which has organized successful events around International Day of Human Rights in Seattle for several years. Take a Stand Against Human Rights Abuse and Work Together to Imagine a World Where Human Rights are Valued!
March starting noon through downtown for 1 pm (approximate time) rally at Victor Steinbrueck Park just north of Pike Place Market.
Endorsed by many peace and justice groups including
Amnesty International,
Anak Bayan Seattle,
Arts Kollective,
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA),
Backbone Campaign,
BAYAN-USA,
Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites,
Community Alliance for Global Justice,
Evergreen Peace & Justice Community,
Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq,
International Action Center,
Philippine-United States Solidarity Organization (PUSO),
Pinay sa Seattle,
Pride at Work,
Sahngnoksoo,
Seattle Chapter Fellowship of Reconciliation,
Seattle CISPES
SNOW (Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War),
Tadaima,
United Nations Association - Seattle,
Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture,
Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation.
information http://pusoseattle.wordpress.com/
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND WORK GATHERINGS BEFORE THE EVENT:
Sat Dec 4, 10 am - 3 pm, at Filipino Community Center, 5740 MLK Jr. Way South, Seattle; Work Party, bring poster making materials and ideas, or just bring yourself!
Tues Dec 7, 6 - 8 pm, at Seattle University, Hunthausen 160. Planning meeting including discussion of security and training
Fri Dec 10, 6 - 8 pm, at Seattle University, Casey Room 517, Planning meeting includes discussion of logistics for the next day
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT
Saturday December 11, 2010, rain or shine!
gather 11:30 am at Hing Hay Park, Maynard Ave S at S Jackson St, International District, Seattle
Human Rights Day rally and march 2010 Theme: "Imagine Human Rights" initiated by PUSO (Philippine-United States Solidarity Organization) which has organized successful events around International Day of Human Rights in Seattle for several years. Take a Stand Against Human Rights Abuse and Work Together to Imagine a World Where Human Rights are Valued!
March starting noon through downtown for 1 pm (approximate time) rally at Victor Steinbrueck Park just north of Pike Place Market.
Endorsed by many peace and justice groups including
Amnesty International,
Anak Bayan Seattle,
Arts Kollective,
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA),
Backbone Campaign,
BAYAN-USA,
Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites,
Community Alliance for Global Justice,
Evergreen Peace & Justice Community,
Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq,
International Action Center,
Philippine-United States Solidarity Organization (PUSO),
Pinay sa Seattle,
Pride at Work,
Sahngnoksoo,
Seattle Chapter Fellowship of Reconciliation,
Seattle CISPES
SNOW (Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War),
Tadaima,
United Nations Association - Seattle,
Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture,
Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation.
information http://pusoseattle.wordpress.com/
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND WORK GATHERINGS BEFORE THE EVENT:
Sat Dec 4, 10 am - 3 pm, at Filipino Community Center, 5740 MLK Jr. Way South, Seattle; Work Party, bring poster making materials and ideas, or just bring yourself!
Tues Dec 7, 6 - 8 pm, at Seattle University, Hunthausen 160. Planning meeting including discussion of security and training
Fri Dec 10, 6 - 8 pm, at Seattle University, Casey Room 517, Planning meeting includes discussion of logistics for the next day
Monday, August 16, 2010
Founder of National Religious Campaign Against Torture in Seattle Oct 16 & 17
Mark your calendar for 2 presentations!
Sat Oct 16, 7:30 pm, at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave at Seneca, downstairs, enter on Seneca St, Seattle; Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture presents a talk by Presbyterian theologian and activist George Hunsinger, co-founder of National Religious Campaign Against Torture, on "Unfinished Business: Ending U.S. Torture Forever." Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary's Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, is the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth prize to be conferred in 2011 by the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany. Co-sponsored by National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Pax Christi Pacific Northwest, Seattle Chapter Fellowship of Rconciliation, Western Washington Fellowship of Rconciliation, and others to be added. Dr. Hunsinger will sign copies of his books after his presentation. Doors open 6:30 pm. Tickets $5 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/124397 or 800-838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. info end.torture.wsrcat@gmail.com or http://www.wsrcat.org
Sun Oct 17, 10 a.m., at Plymouth Church-United Church of Christ, 1217 6th Ave, Seattle; Plymouth's Adult Forum and Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture present Presbyterian theologian and activist George Hunsinger, co-founder of National Religious Campaign Against Torture, on "Violence Finds Refuge in Falsehood". Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary's Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, is the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth prize to be conferred in 2011 by the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany. info end.torture.wsrcat@gmail.com
Sat Oct 16, 7:30 pm, at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave at Seneca, downstairs, enter on Seneca St, Seattle; Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture presents a talk by Presbyterian theologian and activist George Hunsinger, co-founder of National Religious Campaign Against Torture, on "Unfinished Business: Ending U.S. Torture Forever." Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary's Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, is the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth prize to be conferred in 2011 by the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany. Co-sponsored by National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Pax Christi Pacific Northwest, Seattle Chapter Fellowship of Rconciliation, Western Washington Fellowship of Rconciliation, and others to be added. Dr. Hunsinger will sign copies of his books after his presentation. Doors open 6:30 pm. Tickets $5 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/124397 or 800-838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. info end.torture.wsrcat@gmail.com or http://www.wsrcat.org
Sun Oct 17, 10 a.m., at Plymouth Church-United Church of Christ, 1217 6th Ave, Seattle; Plymouth's Adult Forum and Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture present Presbyterian theologian and activist George Hunsinger, co-founder of National Religious Campaign Against Torture, on "Violence Finds Refuge in Falsehood". Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary's Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, is the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth prize to be conferred in 2011 by the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany. info end.torture.wsrcat@gmail.com
Monday, May 31, 2010
Torture Awareness Month
We encourage all congregations and individuals to participate in Torture Awareness Month. In fact, we are working to make it Torture Awareness summer.
WSRCAT supports the National Religious Campaign Against Torture's call for access to all US held prisoners by the International Committee of the Red Cross. We are collecting signatures on postcards to members of Congress, and we hope to deliver the cards in face-to-face meetings with our Washington State elected officials. See http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=316 for information or download postcards at http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/icrc_access_postcard.pdf
Both WSRCAT and NRCAT call for a Commission of Inquiry to look into crimes committed since 2001, and we call on Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a Special Prosecutor to hold accountable those responsible for US torture.
See NRCAT's petition calling for a Commission of Inquiry at http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/petition_form_3_2_09.doc or http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/petition_form_3_2_09.pdf or sign on individually via the web at http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=197
WSRCAT is circulating a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder calling for a Special Prosecutor, with this wording:
"We urge you to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate ALL violations of federal law related to torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of prisoners since 2001. Those who authorized illegal policies as well as those who carried them out must be prosecuted. We believe that in order to prevent future torture and abuse, there must be full accountability."
Please contact us for postcards or petitions!
WSRCAT supports the National Religious Campaign Against Torture's call for access to all US held prisoners by the International Committee of the Red Cross. We are collecting signatures on postcards to members of Congress, and we hope to deliver the cards in face-to-face meetings with our Washington State elected officials. See http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=316 for information or download postcards at http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/icrc_access_postcard.pdf
Both WSRCAT and NRCAT call for a Commission of Inquiry to look into crimes committed since 2001, and we call on Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a Special Prosecutor to hold accountable those responsible for US torture.
See NRCAT's petition calling for a Commission of Inquiry at http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/petition_form_3_2_09.doc or http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/petition_form_3_2_09.pdf or sign on individually via the web at http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=197
WSRCAT is circulating a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder calling for a Special Prosecutor, with this wording:
"We urge you to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate ALL violations of federal law related to torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of prisoners since 2001. Those who authorized illegal policies as well as those who carried them out must be prosecuted. We believe that in order to prevent future torture and abuse, there must be full accountability."
Please contact us for postcards or petitions!
Monday, May 10, 2010
2 talks by Torture Opponent Matthew Alexander
Fri May 21, 7 - 8:30 pm, at University of Washington, Kane Hall Room #120, Seattle. Amnesty International, Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture, and the UW Law, Societies & Justice Program present Torture opponent Matthew Alexander in "A Chair, A Brain, and A Heart: An Interrogator's Mission to Return America to the Rule of Law." He has written a book and spoken out about the moral and practical objections to torture. Matthew Alexander, a former senior military interrogator in Iraq and the author of "How to Break a Terrorist: The U.S. Interrogators Who Used Brains, Not Brutality, to Take Down the Deadliest Man in Iraq." Matthew Alexander led an interrogation team that refused to use coercive interrogation methods on detainees and gathered the intelligence that directly led to the successful airstrike on Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, who was the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq and mastermind of the suicide bombing campaign that helped plunge Iraq into civil war. Followed by reception with light refreshments. Free and open to the public. Event co-sponsors include American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington, UW American Constitution Society, UW Center for Human Rights, UW International Law Society, and Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation. info http://www.wsrcat.org/ or 206-463-5653 or robcrawford2@gmail.com or http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116939868334060
Sat May 22, 7:30 pm, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 5043 9th Ave NE, in Seattle's University District; Matthew Alexander on How To Break A Terrorist. Matthew Alexander is an outspoken opponent of torture. He refutes torture's effectiveness, citing its negative long term effects - such as recruiting for Al Qaida - and argues that torture is contrary to the American principles of freedom, liberty, and justice. His book, How to Break A Terrorist, provides an inside look at the non-coercive interrogation techniques which lead to the whereabouts and targeting of Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the notorious Al Qaida leader. Matthew Alexander served fourteen years in the US Air Force, and is a former criminal investigator and interrogator for the US military. He has conducted missions in over thirty countries, and has personally conducted more than three hundred interrogations, supervising more than a thousand. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his achievements in Iraq. Sponsors include the Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture - WSRCAT, Amnesty International, and the Blessed Sacrament Peace and Justice Committee. Free and open to the public. info Nina Butorac 206-732-7351 or nbutorac@yahoo.com
Sat May 22, 7:30 pm, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 5043 9th Ave NE, in Seattle's University District; Matthew Alexander on How To Break A Terrorist. Matthew Alexander is an outspoken opponent of torture. He refutes torture's effectiveness, citing its negative long term effects - such as recruiting for Al Qaida - and argues that torture is contrary to the American principles of freedom, liberty, and justice. His book, How to Break A Terrorist, provides an inside look at the non-coercive interrogation techniques which lead to the whereabouts and targeting of Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the notorious Al Qaida leader. Matthew Alexander served fourteen years in the US Air Force, and is a former criminal investigator and interrogator for the US military. He has conducted missions in over thirty countries, and has personally conducted more than three hundred interrogations, supervising more than a thousand. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his achievements in Iraq. Sponsors include the Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture - WSRCAT, Amnesty International, and the Blessed Sacrament Peace and Justice Committee. Free and open to the public. info Nina Butorac 206-732-7351 or nbutorac@yahoo.com
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