Archive for the Torture Category

Video: Time Magazine Interviews Benamar

By on September 8, 2011
This entry is filed under Torture, Updates & Press Releases, Video.

http://www.time.com/time/beyond911/#BenamarBenatta

We let fear and mistrust get the best of us… I hope I will be able to see the light; that I’ll be able to close the book on those dark days. —Benamar Benatta

Admin’s note: It’s hard to watch a friend recount the terrible things done to them. I fear, dear brother, that it is not you who needs to see the light. That those who need to see it the most are incapable of it. You have conducted yourself in stellar fashion even after they wronged you in the most fundamental of ways. They have made themselves look worse. Things have indeed changed since 9/11. Rights, once lost, are very hard to get back. It seems that they used to at least pretend. They seem not to be bothered with pretense anymore, because in their minds, they don’t have to. I wonder about those faces you talk about, the particular individuals that did these things to you. I wonder how they can sleep at night. Once again, I don’t have words for what I’m feeling. Actually I do have words, but you’ve set an example here. So I’ll just say… I’m sad and mad. I’m amazed by your optimism and resilience. You’re fighting, and we are behind you.

I hope visitors to this site will watch the video, and share it with someone else.

Ben’s case against the U.S.

By on March 25, 2011
This entry is filed under Torture, Updates & Press Releases.

Heads up: This Monday there’s an article coming out in Newsday about Ben’s civil case against the U.S. government. The government is arguing that the suit “violates” a settlement they reached with other plaintiffs.

“No, you can’t sue me for a slip and fall in my store. That would be a violation because another person fell in my store and we’ve already settled.”

(I thought I could make it sound more ridiculous.)

They also think that they did nothing wrong and owe Mr. Benatta nothing for their crimes against him. Why? Because, according to them, they had an “unprecedented” task, having to face the events of 9/11. Meaning, I suppose, “we’re not experienced” or maybe “this has never happened before”.

That’s actually misleading. First, it’s not true, we have faced threats and attacks in this country before so they DO know how they’re supposed to behave.

Second, rules of law that they violated were custom-made for times like these! For times of violence and confusion!

It’s like purposely violating every item on a tsunami safety tips sheet because there’s a tsunami coming. Or using the fact that there’s a tsunami coming to disregard and violate every safety measure on the list.

What was it, particularly, about their task that made it so difficult to avoid keeping a man imprisoned for years after the FBI exonerated him? What was it, about their task that made it necessary to torture him?

I can’t say it any better than U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. did, when he demanded Ben’s release because he had been “undeniably deprived of his liberty”: it’s a “sham” that “borders on ridiculousness”.

Talk about precedence.

“It is going to be a long battle, but as I told my U.S. lawyer, I want John Ashcroft to answer for his actions. And I won’t give up until those responsible are held accountable…” —Benamar

What they did and are doing… a more ignoble thing I can not find.

Let us all hope that the judge rules with wisdom.

Benamar Benatta and Supporters Attend Vigil

By on September 18, 2007
This entry is filed under Activism, Audio, Torture, Updates & Press Releases, Video. | 1 Comment

Interview with Benamar Benatta about recent vigil in Canada.

Interview with Nicole Chrolavicius about recent vigil in Canada.

Hopefully we’ll have permission to post video of the vigil that the Global National has locked down. As I understand it Nicole has inquired about obtaining the video as well.

We will keep you updated on any developments.

In the meantime, here is the latest I was able to obtain, an Indy Media interview about the case:

Interview with Benamar Benatta and Nicole Chrolavicius from Indy Media.