The Walpole Peace and Justice Group invites you to join us for a peace vigil to protest the Iraq war tomorrow morning, Saturday, December 29, 2007 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on the Walpole Common, across from the Post Office. This vigil was changed from our usual schedule because of holidays. We will resume our normal schedule of holding vigils on the first and third Saturday of the month in January.
Next Speaker: January 8 at 7:30 at Walpole Public Library - Demissie A. Gebremedhin, Director of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International Group (TASSC) will speak on his own personal experiences as a torture survivor, as well as, TASSC’s work in dealing with torture. He will also provide information about the Military Commissions Act that was passed last October by Congress and TASSC’s efforts to repeal it. Demissie is a citizen of Ethiopia who was repeatedly tortured by the Ethiopian government because of his political opinions and race and because of his reporting of the misappropriation of funds by a government run aid organization. TASSC is the only organization founded by and for torture survivors. The mission of TASSC is to end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and to empower survivors, their families and communities. TASSC has created a world-wide network of International Communities of Healing for torture survivors and their families. TASSC tries to influence domestic and international policies regarding torture through advocacy, social action, public testimony and targeted media campaigns.
4 comments:
Let me get this right, he was tortured in another country, thank God America was there for him to find a safe haven, but he now speaks out in part against that same America. It sounds like he may not be alive if not for America. This is wrong.
Not sure how you equate speaking out against torture as speaking out against America. Our nation should never support torture for any reason. Here is a victim of torture sharing his pain, and doing his best to keep our collective noses clean, and pointed in the right direction. There's nothing wrong with that - it's downright American.
We all love this nation and want it to live up to its heritage and principles. My hope is that we: don't confuse and don't accuse.
I support some torture in some cases. I think most Americans agree would agree with that statement.
I think those that dont agree really dont understand how the world works and that is fine it takes all kinds.
Thank you for your post. I hope most Americans do not agree with your premise, but I could be wrong. It happens. But not "understanding how the world works" is a presumptuous charge; believing that you have this understanding may prevent your ever achieving it. But, I appreciate that you are willing to read and respond.
And in that spirit, I applaud your sentiment, that it takes all kinds - that in this democracy, everyone has the patience and the compassion to listen to someone you disagree with, hear them with an open mind, treat them with respect, and shake their hand when it's done. Today we bury Teddy Kennedy and I hope he would smile at that.
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