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I wrote a letter to Guantanamo Detainee #940, Adel Hamad.

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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 07:28 PM
Original message
I wrote a letter to Guantanamo Detainee #940, Adel Hamad.
"Dear Mr. Hamad: I have not forgotten your suffering in Guantanamo Bay. I hope one day soon my government will grant you a fair trial."

And then I hung the letter in a local art exhibit and invited people to sign it. Although I made it clear that government censors were more likely to read the letter than Mr. Hamad, nearly 100 people signed. I had expected that some people would write something hostile, but no one did. Some people added short supportive notes: "your brother in Islam," "When you are free I hope you can visit us."

I'm very proud of my community.

If you would like to learn about Adel Hamad's case, please visit www.projecthamad.org
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mike_c Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 07:32 PM
Response to Original message
1. wow, that is amazing-- thank you for posting this-- K&R....
:applause:
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NanceGreggs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 07:37 PM
Response to Original message
2. K & R!!!
Yes, THANKS for posting!!!
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az chela Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 07:49 PM
Response to Original message
3. Sign Az chela on it for me.This is t he most insane thing,a war
that is nothing more than a game to the repukes.May their stupidity come back to haunt them,the killing of almost a million people and for what??????
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 07:56 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. I will do that, Az chela. Thank you.
Edited on Fri Feb-16-07 07:58 PM by femmedem
At the website, you can also add your name to a list of people who believe people detained by the U.S. government have the right to:

— know the charges against them

— have access to a lawyer

— be able to have the merits of their case reviewed
by a federally appointed judge

http://www.projecthamad.org/take-action/members/

Edit to add: At the website's homepage, there is also a link to sign on as co-sponsor to Senator Dodd's bill which would restore habeas corpus.
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noamnety Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:31 PM
Response to Original message
5. K&R
I read the blog entry about it. I won't post the link without your permission, but it's a nice writeup.

also, on a personal note, I mailed a package to you today. The guy was not optimistic that it will get there by Christmas. :(
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. Permission granted! I forgot what it said.
Edited on Fri Feb-16-07 08:53 PM by femmedem
Thanks for getting this onto Greatest.

Personal note: You're not late for Christmas. You're early for my birthday.
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noamnety Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:04 PM
Response to Reply #7
13. "Perhaps the most courageous work in the show ..."
"is Laura Natusch's "Project Hamad." This is three pieces of paper crudely matted triptych-style on one piece of board. In the left panel is an orange piece of fabric with "#940" printed on it. This page reads:

For seventeen years, Adel Hamad worked for nongovernmental relief organizations. He was a hospital administrator. He taught orphaned children. He told jokes and played ping pong. He was a husband and father.

Now he is Detainee #940 at Guantanamo Bay.

There is no evidence that he supported terrorism or sympathized with those who did.

He never had a chance to prove his innocence in court."

full story: http://www.ctartscene.blogspot.com/
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northofdenali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
6. Will you sign it for me? I'll PM my name -
If I were to put up a letter like that here - even at the university - it would be shredded in seconds. I'd be privileged if I could sign yours.
:applause::yourock::applause:
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:55 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. Yes, I will.
The exhibit isn't up anymore, but I haven't mailed the letter yet.

The link to projecthamad also tells you how to write your own letter. There is also a video from his lawyer explaining the case.
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Manifestor_of_Light Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:47 PM
Response to Original message
8. Activist and communal art -- I like it
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Thickasabrick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 08:58 PM
Response to Original message
10. Thank you for the link. I just donated what I could afford right now
to the campaign but will donate more when I get more funds. I can't think of a more worthy cause. Thanks again for spreading the word.

K&R
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 09:27 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. !
O8)
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nam78_two Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 09:45 PM
Response to Original message
12. K&R
:applause:
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Straight Shooter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:28 PM
Response to Original message
14. Bravo!
To my shame, I wasn't aware of this case, there is so much to be outraged about on all fronts, seems like.

What a great community you live in, a true example of believers in life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness.
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:34 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Very progressive little city, New London CT
Infamous for eminent domain, of course. But we did vote nearly 2:1 for Lamont, and the City Council passed an anti-Iraq war resolution about an hour before Bush announced the beginning of Shock and Awe.

Now some of us are trying to get an impeachment resolution passed. Stay tuned for updates...
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Straight Shooter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-17-07 12:32 AM
Response to Reply #15
20. Sounds like a wonderful place.
I had to take a peek:



http://www.ci.new-london.ct.us/

:hi:
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-17-07 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #20
21. My husband and I see that Coast Guard ship
every day from our musical instrument building shop on Water Street. :)

Impeachment resolution update: New London's paper, The Day, published my op-ed today.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x233513
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Straight Shooter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-17-07 06:39 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. If it weren't for the fact that every day I see a mountain range from my home office ...
... I would be jealous.



Okay, I admit, I've got to lean back just a little to take in the full view. :)
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:36 PM
Response to Original message
16. So very well done, DUer.
Sign me up, too!

Elizabeth Ferrari

:toast:
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:38 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. You will be name #101. n/t
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-17-07 02:08 PM
Response to Reply #18
22. Thank you very much. n/t
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mrgorth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:37 PM
Response to Original message
17. FYI
You can get into shit for this. I can't go any further. It can effect you down the line.:(
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femmedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-16-07 10:43 PM
Response to Reply #17
19. Yes, I know.
Edited on Fri Feb-16-07 10:43 PM by femmedem
Another part of the exhibited letter was a statement that I was afraid to mail the letter, that I was afraid our government would put me on a list of people who support terrorists because I believe in habeas corpus, but that I would nonetheless mail the letter.

The pen I provided for signatures was chained to a jumpsuit-orange ledge, to emphasize the risk.

However, I don't think the other people signing are at great risk, because I am the only one whose address will be on the letter.
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