A Third Thing

DC Superior Court, where the Gitmo35 trial is in its second (and possibly penultimate) day.

Another day, another new thing for me: I've never been to court.  Any court.  So this was an interesting experience just in general, let alone specifically with regard to the current case.

Ellen, Gael, Leslie, Des and I entered the courtroom mid-afternoon--oddly, there were exactly enough seats left for the 5 of us--in time to see the final defense motions to dismiss charges (for a variety of reasons, all denied).  We also saw opening statements then the two witnesses called to discuss events in the Supreme Court itself (carried out by a distinct group), both of whom were righteous in defending their acts of conscience.

The judge has a rather dry wit, which caused us some trouble at one point.  Des had already been commanded by a court officer to remove her traditional hat--I had my orange STOP TORTURE cap in my hand--so he was keeping an eye on us.  Then there were some funny exchanges between the judge, witnesses and counsel, and we laughed pretty heartily.  Mr Fascist Regime Enforcer came over from the back of the court, told us to stop laughing and spent the rest of the hearing looming right over me.

The defendants are being tried pro se, with different tasks distributed amongst them: one moved to dismiss, a couple provided opening statements, a couple acted as defense attorneys and called a couple others as witnesses.  Others will act in similar capacities and offer closing arguments as they continue presenting their case tomorrow.

All throughout, the defendants in pretty much every role would mention the detainee they represent, and told their stories so that these innocent prisoners virtually get their day in court and become a part of the public record.  Often the prosecutor would object about relevance, but the judge allowed some latitude in that regard--he sustained objections over relevance a number of times unless it was something that went to the state of mind of the witness (intent is an important issue for these charges).

After the witnesses finished, defense proposed a break and then moving on to testimony on what happened on the steps of the SCOTUS, but the judge said they might as well just recess and start there tomorrow.  So now we're getting ready for the regular Wednesday potluck at the House, having invited all the defendants as well as a couple of random young dudes from the neighborhood whom we bumped into on the way home who asked, "are you guys Code Pink?"

I'll have more to say on this later, so let me make a quick observation right now.  I've been detained by Capitol Cops in my short Pink career, but not arrested at this point.  Yet I have expanded the types of things I know I'm capable of and have confidence that when the opportunity presents itself I'll be able to join my friends.  I also know that if I can do this stuff, so can pretty much anybody.

So, if you're interested in learning more about what new things you can try to effect change, you might consider joining the Pinkers for some training this summer instead taking the same old vacation.  They'd love to host you in DC, help you figure out what you can do at home, and hear your ideas.

ntodd

(x-posted at Dohiyi Mir)

Comments

[Stephen]

Thank you for doing this thing. I have had on the back of my truck a poster for the last year stating that the country I believe in would close Guantanomo.

It's hard not to hate this corrupt government we are forced to operate in.

Thanks again.