Saturday, 24 October, will be British resident Shaker Aamer’s 5,000th day in Guantánamo Bay. It should also be his last day of unlawful imprisonment in that terrible place. Saturday marks the end of the 30-day notice period to the US Congress that he is to be released and returned to his home in the UK. On Sunday, he should be free and on his way home.
Please join Shaker’s friends and supporters on Saturday opposite Downing Street from 2pm to 4pm for a protest vigil for his return. Come and make a great noise for Shaker and demand that there is no more delay. We urge the US to keep its word to Shaker and to the world. The US guards must open the cell door marked with Shaker’s number, 329, take off his cruel prison chains, call him by his name and let him see the sun at last.
Let this be the end of the gross injustice to a man imprisoned without charge or trial. Shaker has borne these years with amazing dignity and fortitude. He bears no anger. He wants no reprisals. His only wish is to be with his loved ones at last. For the future, when his health is restored, he plans to find a way to help to make the world a better place.
At present, he is on hunger strike in protest at the guards’ daily acts of brutality. Many of his supporters are fasting for 24 hours in solidarity with him and to take on his protest so that he can take food to regain his strength. The hunger strike will carry on until he returns home. Please join by pledging your support at fastforshaker.org.uk. Our campaign to save Shaker Aamer will get louder and stronger if he is not released this time. Shaker Aamer must be free or all of us are in chains.
Joy Hurcombe
Chair, Save Shaker Aamer Campaign
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