It was wonderful to see so many Maine citizens — at least 1,100 — come to Amnesty International’s replica of a Guantanamo Bay prison cell over the three days that the cell was set up in Portland’s Monument Square. Many were clearly moved and disturbed by the sight and the size of the cell built to hold a detainee for 22 hours per day for a period of long years.
On the other hand, there were some who criticized Amnesty International for its stand seeking the right to a fair trial for people they consider “the worst of the worst.” In our own opinion, the most important people who came to Monument Square were those who had not made up their minds about the rights of those detainees, who were worried both about what terrorists could do to the United States but also about what secret detentions at Guantanamo, Baghram, and other prisons were doing to the Constitutional rights of everyone, American citizens and others, and who were sorting through their conflicting thoughts.
There were also people who had not known anything about Guantanamo before coming to Monument Square last week. We learned a lot by talking with visitors to the cell and trying to sort out the real issues with them.
As Amnesty International volunteers in Portland, it was a privilege to talk with some of these people and let them know our position that torture is always wrong without exception, that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and that we believe in the worth and dignity of each person. Amnesty International is doing a great service by demanding that our government bring charges against all people for whom there is evidence of wrongdoing or else release them, and by helping to educate the public about the issues.
We were very impressed that an amateur theatrical group, a professional theatre company, a sculptor, several religious groups and congregations, and a veterans group, and a number of peace and human rights organizations lent their voices to this protest in Portland.
Leo and Liz Barrington
Portland, Maine
