Upon going to my first protest, my stomach was in butterflies. I imagined the person of the 70’s who protested, rose up, and spoke out, marching through the streets. It was not, however anything like that.

As the crowd met across the street for this peaceful protest, I was there to get my journalistic point of view. I saw that there were a handful people and even less of the police. This protest was held in NYC, across from the Supreme Court house. There were also many others across the world on January 11th, 2008. Some were arrested elsewhere in the world; some went home free after the protest.

It was raining. Maybe that is why people did not show up. However the rain would not compare to the water boarding and torture that I was there to report about. I often wonder, if it was our fathers, sons, or brothers in Guantanamo Bay, would there have been more there?

The protest in New York City was peaceful by all means. No riots, fan fare, or marching in the streets. However there were prayers, quiet talking, and silent cries for the mass torture going on that has been swept under the rug for so long.

As a journalist I must report only the facts. It is very important for people to make up their own minds. However as a humanitarian, what is going on in Guantanamo Bay cannot continue. There is evidence of torture and suffering. How many truly must go through this before we as a nation say enough is enough?

Sometimes peace is achieved by peace, but great leaps and bounds must be made to achieve this peace. We are not off the hook simply because this does not affect us. This does affect us. There are Americans being held in Guantanamo Bay. Do not be mistaken about that.

To think that this is not on our own soil is to think that there is not pollution in our air. If you think this cannot happen to you, look up the definition of an “enemy combatant.” If you think that this cannot take away your civil liberties, reconsider your options and how you would live in a fascist world.

Yes, the next administration may remove what you are thinking is an issue of the current administration. Who is to say they would? Who is to say they would not? However the question that lies within is this: With all the new administration is going to face, how can they correct what the current administration has created?

As I listened to this peaceful protest, there were more who came to stand for the tearing down or shutting down of this place called Guantanamo Bay. What can we do, is something that many ask. There is plenty to do; write your Senators, Representives, and Congressmen. Think about the fact that what is going on over there can come over here in a heartbeat to snuff that beat out, allowing not the drummer’s cadence to freedom to continue.

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