Jun 13th, 2008
Posted by Jessica Monaco, ACLU at 11:16am

Act Now: Close Guantánamo

"The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times." -- Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote in today's landmark Supreme Court decision.

You've been standing with us in these extraordinary times. Now, it's time to tell America's leaders to close Guantánamo, end indefinite detention without charge, and restore the rule of law.

The ACLU stands ready to stop any effort by the Bush administration to get around this decision. Right now, we need your help to make sure this decision marks the beginning of the end of the reprehensible practices that have been carried out in the name of the American people at Guantánamo Bay, including the failed Military Commissions system.

Tell America's leaders that it's time to close Guantánamo, end indefinite detention without charge, and restore the rule of law. Sign the ACLU's Close Guantánamo petition right now.

The tide is turning. Be part of history by acting now to build on the Supreme Court's clear-cut affirmation of habeas corpus. Because, if we do, this can truly be the beginning of the end for all the lawlessness and injustice we've worked so hard to expose and stop.

Sign the petition: Close Guantánamo.

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Tags: Close Guantanamo

1. E J Kessler-Harris Says:
   Jun 14th, 2008 at 3:04pm

   The ACLU does not consider the consequences of it actions that end up hurting the victims it falsely pretends to protect! This is a letter I sent to my congressman today.
   ___________________________________

   "PLEASE stop the ACLU from letting out the terrorists from Guantanamo Bay facility. The ACLU has done more harm to Americans than good. They always protect the criminals at the expense of the VICTIMS!!! '

   It is your responsibility as a Congressman to look out for us in these situations, because we are helpless citizens at the mercy of Congress, Senate and the White House!

   You have done such a good job in the past, so please continue it.

   Thanks (from our future)

   E J Kessler-Harris, Registered Voter"

2. Angel Kirkland, Registered Voter Says:
   Jun 16th, 2008 at 12:35pm

   It is my hope that the ACLU is disbanded. The ACLU has done nothing to help Americans, instead they have made sure to turn their attention to the very people that destroyed millions of lives. I am outraged at your blatant disregard of the consequences of closing Gitmo. Let the executive branch do it's job and take care of the POW's.

3. JR Ewing Says:
   Jul 3rd, 2008 at 9:15am

   Read the 14th Amendment...Where in there does it say the terrorists held in GITMO are U.S. Citizens? Are they foreigners on American soil? Nope, neither is the case here!

   Now, I'm not a lawyer, but it seems pretty clear cut to me the terrorists being held at GITMO (a base LEASED to the US Navy but still OWNED by Cuba, therefore Cuban soil), are not, repeat, not (supposed to be) afforded any rights or protections of the Constitution. But, the ACLU and the "Liberal, Activist Judges" seem to believe otherwise, again re-affirming my hard-core belief that the ACLU does nothing to defend (and I mean actually DEFEND) the Constitution from attempts to usurp it, just like this did.

4. Dan Newland Says:
   Nov 2nd, 2008 at 9:44am

   As a foreign correspondent and political commentator in South America during the 1970s and 80s I actively fought for and took considerable risks to defend and seek to implement what were then "American ideals" regarding human rights and rule of law in countries that had fallen under dictatorial rule (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay). Everyone then looked to the United States at the defender of justice and the rights of man and I was proud of my American heritage and of myself for seeking, in my small way, to defend the rights we Americans "took for granted" elsewhere in the world. I have watched in astonished horror and disgust since 911 how Americans have been willing in large numbers to throw their admirable heritage and the rule book on human rights and justice out the window in the name of "national security" and "the defense of democracy". My own experience in other parts of the world has shown me that if authoritarians in government are permitted to get away with abusing the rights of some the rights of others no longer exist, because it is, then, the "powers that be" who decide who has rights and who doesn't. And when that happens, democracy no longer exists. When that happens, call it what you will, the country has become an authoritarian regime.