Guantanamo Closing Day is a call to action by Amnesty International HFCC, one of the newest clubs on the Henry Ford Community College campus. Members of Amnesty International (AI), a worldwide human rights organization, believe that it is time for the Obama administration to keep the promise it made on its second day in office: to close down the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center.

This call is one of the demands of AI’s Counter Terror with Justice Campaign. Other demands include an end to indefinite detention, trials in civilian courts for the remaining detainees, accountability for those who have perpetrated torture, and reparations for victims of, and responders to, the 9/11 attacks.

To determine whether they are innocent or guilty, detainees must have a trial in front of a judge and jury that does not have a direct link to the military. Amnesty International is about supporting every person’s human rights, and this is what AI-HFCC hopes to do as well.

As an organization, we do not take a position on the existence of the military of the United States of America, or of any country; we just want our troops—as well as our judicial system--to respect the human rights of every individual, including those now in Guantanamo. This will serve the interests not only of the detainees, but also of our own military, who are often hated in countries that they are trying to help because of the reports of torture that have been published.

AI-HFCC wants a new and better America; one that is not hated by other nations, but one that can be looked upon as a true symbol of democracy and strength. Please join us on October 29, 2010, from 9am-12pm in the Student Center, where together we will work to make a difference and remind our government that, in the United States, no one’s rights can be taken away. We will offer background information on this campaign and suggest several ways in which you can send a message to our government.