Guantanamo Bay is a symbol of our nation’s use of torture. Closing the detention facility at Guantanamo is one of the steps needed to end U.S.-sponsored torture forever. 

Guantanamo Briefing: From Crisis to Solution
On May 10, NRCAT cosponsored a Congressional briefing on why it is imperative that we close Guantanamo. NRCAT founder, Dr. George Hunsinger, eloquently spoke about the unfolding human crisis at Guantanamo. “The consequences of ignoring Guantanamo,” he said, “its abuses, and its hunger-striking detainees are enormous --not only for America, but for the prisoners themselves, many of whom have reached the point that they would prefer to die rather than persist in more years of indefinite detention, which is itself tantamount to torture.”  You can watch the video of the briefing here, with Dr. Hunsinger’s presentation starting at 36:10.

Add your name to the religious leaders’ letter
During a press conference on April 30, President Obama reiterated his belief that the United States needs to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Later in the day, 38 religious leaders released a public letter sent to the President and all members of Congress, describing the desperate situation at Guantanamo and calling on President Obama and Congress to back the President’s words with action by expeditiously moving to close the prison there.  Add your name to the letter and please download a petition version of the letter and circulate it in your congregation, campus or community.

Also, help us reach more people by sharing the Close Guantanamo online petition with your friends.  You can share the photo to the right on Facebook, tweet about the petition, or share this Tell-A-Friend message.

Background Information
Also, on April 11, NRCAT joined a coalition in sending a letter to President Obama about the hunger strike and stalled efforts to close the detention facility. 

When he first took office, President Obama promised to close the prison at Guantanamo within a year.  More than four years later, 166 detainees remain at Guantanamo - 86 of whom have been cleared for transfer or release.  President Obama has signed and Congress has passed legislation making it difficult to close Guantanamo.  Recently, the Department of State shuttered the office responsible for closing Guantanamo.

While legislation has made it more difficult for the President to transfer detainees out of Guantanamo – it is still possible. Guantanamo is a place where prisoners were tortured and where most continue to be held indefinitely without trial.  Its continued existence is a moral travesty.

Email the President and Congress.

Looking to get your community involved?

Highlight the Guantanamo Bay detention center during religious services

• Use NRCAT's Close Guantanamo Sermon Talking Points.
• Use NRCAT’s interfaith prayer and bulletin insert during one or more of your worship services.
• Use NRCAT's Guantanamo Fact Sheet.
• Display an anti-torture banner  – maybe your congregation already has one or you can purchase a banner through our online store.

Make your voice heard

• Add your name to the petition of the religious leaders letter and gather signatures using this printable petition version.
• Use this sample email to urge the President and Congress to close Guantanamo.
• Send a Tweet to the President:  @BarackObama @WhiteHouse Please keep your promise to close #Guantanamo. #CloseGitmo @NRCATtweets
• Gather signed postcards after services.
• Use our letter to the editor talking points to write to your local newspaper, calling for closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Your letter can be an important way to further the public conversation about torture and detention policies. (See these tips on writing letters to the editor.)

Be visible in your community

• Organize a public screening of NRCAT’s video “Repairing the Brokenness: A Faithful Response to U.S.-sponsored Torture.”
• Gather signed postcards at community events or public locations. 
• Display an anti-torture banner or distribute bumper stickers.