The action started at lunchtime and coincided with the US presidential elections. Activists were wearing orange overalls and we had one activist dressed up as Uncle Sam. In Holland the winter has started to get chilly so it was not very warm; however this did not stop the students from making this action successful. Every half hour the group walked around in circles with Uncle Sam.

The local press paid loads of attention to this action and a lots of people came especially to the Square to sign our petition. It is amazing that there are still people who have never heard about Guantanamo Bay. As with every action, there are always some funny stories to tell. At the end of the night, we are proud to present 1045 signatures to add to the AI petition to end illegal US detention at Guantanamo Bay!!

Add your name to Amnesty International’s petition to end the US illegal detention at Guantanamo Bay

Daisy Temple,
Holland

Report back from the “Birthday” demo outside Downing Street yesterday: really good atmosphere with about 50 people making lots of noise, chanting “Bring Binyam home” and “Stop Guantanamo Bay”.

We were singing happy birthday, eating cake and holding posters and banners. There was a good spread of people, from the women in head scarves to men in suits, kids and elderly. Some were in orange jumpsuits, some in Binyam t-shirts.

Passers-by were asked to sign petition to return Binyam to UK, as well as writing a note for him on a birthday card to be sent.

Check more pictures on Flickr

The demonstration took place on the evening of 26 June, in Kabalagala, Kampala. 80-100 people attended, representing several East African countries.

The focus was on torture and sending refugees back to torture. 5 people were asking members of the public to sign a letter addressed to Eritrean authorities regarding over 800 Eritreans recently returned from Egypt. 150 signatures were collected which were faxed to Isaayas Afewerki, Fawzia Hashim and Eritrea’s commissioner for police, as well as Uganda’s minister for Foreign affairs.

The assembly chanted, sang and held a candle-lit vigil.

Watch more pictures of the action and actions in other countries