Quarterly Fundraiser: Help Me Raise $2000 for My Work on Guantánamo and Torture
6.6.11
Please support my work!
As I celebrate four years of blogging about Guantánamo, 1300 blog posts and the updating of my four-part definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, it’s three months since I last reached out to you, my readers and my supporters, to ask you to provide some financial support as part of the quarterly fundraising process that is such an important part of maintaining my work.
Being a freelance investigative journalist is a precarious existence, and although I have some regular support, one of my key sources of income is about to come to an need, leaving me in a rather more precarious position than I have been in for the last year. This is not where I had hoped to be at this particularly point in time, and as a result, if you can help me out at all, your support will be greatly appreciated.
If you can help out, please click on the “Donate” button above to make a payment via PayPal. All contributions are welcome, whether it’s $25, $100 or $500. Readers can pay via PayPal from anywhere in the world, but if you’re in the UK and want to help without using PayPal, you can send me a cheque (address here — scroll down to the bottom of the page), and if you’re not a PayPal user and want to send a check from the US (or from anywhere else in the world, for that matter), please feel free to do so, but bear in mind that I have to pay a $10/£6.50 processing fee on every transaction. Securely packaged cash is also an option!
Since I last asked for your financial support (and my thanks to the 20 good friends and supporters who answered my plea for $1500 back in March and April), I forged some interesting new relationships, working with WikiLeaks and other media partners — McClatchy Newspapers, the Washington Post, the Daily Telegraph, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, El Pais, La Repubblica, L’Espresso and Aftonbladet — on the release of 765 classified military files from Guantánamo (known as Detainee Assessment Briefs), which shine an important light on the tortured testimonies and other statements obtained through coercion or bribery that make up most of what masquerades as evidence against the prisoners.
This was a busy time, when my profile was higher than usual, but most of the work analysing this material is rather less glamorous, and involves the kind of detailed research and transcripts that I engaged in while researching and writing my book The Guantánamo Files. Some of this new research has already been undertaken — in my article, Abandoned in Guantánamo: WikiLeaks Reveals the Yemenis Cleared for Release for Up to Seven Years, and in the first three parts of my five-part series, The Unknown Prisoners of Guantanamo — but much more remains to be done, and much of my work analysing and condensing the assessments, to include them in articles and features, will take place throughout the rest of the year, and will rely, in part, on your generosity.
One supporter, who sent a donation of $100 yesterday, also sent the following message, which helped me to understand that many people regard my work as important:
Along with Julian Assange, you two have likely contributed the most important historical record of world events in modern times. Your work will live long after you both as an illumination of what’s gone wrong in our society, but also as a light to journalists & truth-seekers everywhere, telling one and all “this is how it’s done!” Thank you.
Since my last fundraiser, I have written (or cross-posted, with commentary) around a hundred articles — some on the revolutionary movements in the Middle East or the distressing state of British politics under the Tory-led coalition government, but mostly on my core topics of Guantánamo, torture and other US “War on Terror” prisons, including Bagram, which featured prominently in my work back in April. Some of these articles were paid for, but, as always, many were not, and I rely on you to help me to keep writing and publishing.
As many of you know, I also spent part of the last three months seriously ill, although somehow I managed to keep working throughout that period, even when I was in hospital. I’m delighted to report that I have now recovered , that I am no longer a smoker, and that I am slightly less manically driven in my work than I was before my illness, although I suspect that I still work too hard. I’d like to relax a bit more, but there’s always so much injustice to highlight and to oppose, and I feel a requirement to keep on chronicling and exposing the crimes of Guantánamo as thoroughly as possible.
In the last three months, this has not only involved working with WikiLeaks, but also chronicling the failures of the D.C. Circuit Court and the Supreme Court to provide justice to the 171 men still held in Guantánamo, the ongoing failure of the Obama administration to place principles above political expediency, and to secure the release from Guantánamo of anyone who is not in a coffin, and the cynical maneuvering of lawmakers, particularly in their attempts to claim torture and Guantánamo as successful ventures following the death of Osama bin Laden.
With Guantánamo now seemingly open forever, unless concerted action is taken to expose the horror of such a policy, it remains crucial that those who oppose its continued existence — as we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and the 10th anniversary of the opening of Guantánamo — keep on explaining why it is such a disgrace. To that end, I hope that my articles, my work with WikiLeaks and, as mentioned at the start of this appeal, my recent updating of my four-part definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, which I first compiled in 2009, will prove useful. For the prisoner list, see the introduction here, and see Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
My thanks again for all your interest in reading my work and sharing it — without which it would be pointless — and, in advance, for whatever financial support you can provide. It really is very much appreciated.
Andy Worthington
London
June 6, 2011
Andy Worthington is the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison (published by Pluto Press, distributed by Macmillan in the US, and available from Amazon — click on the following for the US and the UK) and of two other books: Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion and The Battle of the Beanfield. To receive new articles in your inbox, please subscribe to my RSS feed (and I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Digg and YouTube). Also see my definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, updated in June 2011, details about the new documentary film, “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” (co-directed by Polly Nash and Andy Worthington, on tour in the UK throughout 2011, and available on DVD here — or here for the US), my definitive Guantánamo habeas list and the chronological list of all my articles.
Who's still at Guantánamo?
31 Responses
Andy Worthington says...
On Facebook, Tashi Farmilo-Marouf wrote:
I don’t own credit cards… but I didn’t realize we could mail you donations… do you need it in pounds?
...on June 6th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Willy Bach wrote:
Andy, thanks. I was struck by your statement that we should “help me continue my unique research”. As far as I know your research is unique, then you would expect that all the world’s media would be onto this biggest story of a lifetime, if they were carrying out the work they should be doing. Lots of competition for an independent writer working from donations, you would think. Nope! Andy, you seem to have most of this field to yourself, which is an indictment of the mainstream media that has managed to ignore the story for the most part. No, it is so much easier to copy and paste from government and PR media releases – and safer. Yes, I will do this.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Tashi, your interest in helping me is very much appreciated. If you are sending cash, then yes, I confess that pounds sterling would make the most sense!
...on June 6th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Willy, for that lovely analysis of my work and its place in the media! Also, for your many kindnesses over the time we have known each other through these online communities that are so important to us.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tamzin Jans wrote:
Let me see if and how I can help. No promises yet. However, I also appreciate your hard work for a very important cause.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Tamzin!
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Andy Worthington says...
George Kenneth Berger wrote:
I’ll send some money in a day or so.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, George. That’s very kind.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Andy Worthington says...
George Kenneth Berger wrote:
Now for some digging and sharing.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tashi Farmilo-Marouf wrote:
okay, just checking… cause you said you want to raise 2000$ – so I wasn’t sure 🙂
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Hi Tashi, I found it easier to ask supporters to pay in dollars through PayPal (which is then converted into pounds), because two-thirds of my readers are in the States — and because Americans have a well-deserved reputation for being generous with financial support for causes they believe in.
...on June 6th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tashi Farmilo-Marouf wrote:
that makes more sense now 🙂 okay, it may take longer for a letter to arrive from here in Canada because our postal workers are on strike… but I’ll send one soon (God Willing) 🙂
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Andy Worthington says...
Proprietor Naijamaican wrote:
Andy, please pop me a profile writeup, a photo of u and a cover for all or some of your publications and a link to your donate button and i shall pop it up somewhere nice.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Andy Worthington says...
Joan S. Livingston wrote:
Andy: Understand your preference, but for those who want to mail their support, an address?
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Proprietor. I’ll do that. And Joan, scroll down on this page, and you’ll find my address: http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/the-guantanamo-files/
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Andy Worthington says...
Joan S. Livingston wrote:
Stupid question: guess the eye glosses over what it encounters often. Thanks for humoring an idiot, Andy.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Andy Worthington says...
No idiots here, Joan. They’re on other pages. I once made the mistake of looking at Glenn Beck’s page. He had something like 8 million supporters (although I hear his popularity is waning these days)! So anyway, in this little club here, we’re allowed to overlook links to addresses. Thanks for your support!
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Andy Worthington says...
Allie Mcneil wrote:
oh Andy I wish I could…you really do us a great service…(when I hit Lotto you and Truthout will be at the top of my list)..
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Allie. Money is needed to keep that proverbial wolf from the door, but kind words and support are what really make the world go round, and the best support I can receive, frankly, is to know that I’ve made a difference, and that I’ve helped to inform people about one or two of the many disgraces that pass largely unnoticed in the mainstream world of forgetfulness and consumption.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Andy Worthington says...
Joan S. Livingston wrote:
Shoot: haven’t checked Beck’s page in ages…
...on June 7th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Andy Worthington says...
I find life disturbing enough without wishing to spend any time in the world of mentally unstable celebrities. Former alcoholics really should be required to undergo some sort of ego test before taking up positions of power and authority.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Andy Worthington says...
Joan S. Livingston wrote:
Heard him for a few seconds once by mistake; a poster child for rehabilitation.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Andy Worthington says...
If only everyone would only come across Beck and his ilk for only a few seconds by mistake. We might have an intellectual life!
...on June 7th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Joan S. Livingston wrote:
He tried to spell caliphate, intellectually, that second.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Ha! That’s excellent. Like those shreds of other people’s conversation that you sometimes hear, that make no sense or are alarming … Nothing to see here. Move along …
...on June 7th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Dan Forbes wrote:
Sorry you have to do this but keep up the great work! You are always a worthy read.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Dan! Good to hear from you.
...on June 7th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Saima Ahsan wrote:
absolutely..it must be a pain..but please do keep up the good work!
...on June 8th, 2011 at 12:50 am
Andy Worthington says...
Saima Ahsan wrote:
i tried to through paypal it didnt work for some reason and directed me to an error page and told me to check if it went through or not..not sure why it did that..maybe i could send a cheque instead??
...on June 8th, 2011 at 12:50 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Saima. I don’t know why either, as I’ve just checked the various PayPal links, and they’re fine. Nevertheless, a cheque is fine. That’s very kind, and you can find my address by scrolling down on this page: http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/the-guantanamo-files/
...on June 8th, 2011 at 12:51 am
WikiLeaks and the Guantánamo Prisoners Released from 2002 to 2004 … » WeNewsIt says...
[…] Andy Worthington is the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison (published by Pluto Press, distributed by Macmillan in the US, and available from Amazon — click on the following for the US and the UK) and of two other books: Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion and The Battle of the Beanfield. To receive new articles in your inbox, please subscribe to my RSS feed (and I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Digg and YouTube). Also see my definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, updated in June 2011, details about the new documentary film, “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” (co-directed by Polly Nash and Andy Worthington, on tour in the UK throughout 2011, and available on DVD here — or here for the US), my definitive Guantánamo habeas list and the chronological list of all my articles, and, if you appreciate my work, feel free to make a donation. […]
...on June 28th, 2011 at 1:39 am