Photos from the 46th monthly global vigils for the closure of Guantánamo on November 4, 2026. Clockwise, from top left: Brussels, New York, outside the White House in Washington, D.C., and outside the US Embassy in London.
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Last Wednesday, for the 46th successive month, a small but dedicated global family of campaigners took to the streets across the US and around the world to remember the 15 men still held in the US “war on terror” prison at Guantánamo Bay, and to call for the prison’s closure.
For the first two years, these vigils, which began in February 2023, sought to exert pressure on President Biden to release the 20 men who had long been approved for release by high-level US government review processes, but who were still held. Our efforts eventually met with success, as almost all of these men were freed before he left office.
Since Donald Trump took office for the second time, however, 22 long and agonizing months ago, the prison has been resolutely locked shut, as it was throughout his first disastrous term as president. I’m immensely grateful to those who have continued to hold vigils every month in the face of this colossal indifference, and last Wednesday, I’m glad to note, there was finally a glimmer of hope, as the results from the US midterm elections made it abundantly clear that the corrupt, cruel and incompetent Trump administration, and the hopelessly broken Republican Party had been punished massively by voters.
Please see below photos from last week’s vigils, and read on for my assessment of what the loss of Republican control of Congress might mean.
Campaigners outside the White House in Washington, D.C. on November 4, 2026. Helen Schietinger of Witness Against Torture wrote, “Art, David and me at the White House fence. The atmosphere was upbeat, being the day after the election: very few MAGA types showed their faces.”Campaigners with the UK Guantánamo Network outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms, London on November 4, 2026, having moved from their regular spot outside the Houses of Parliament to mark the midterm elections. Regular attendee Paul said, “Only three of us. But quality and not quantity. And the main thing is we haven’t forgotten them.”Campaigners — primarily, members of the NYC Metro Raging Grannies — on the steps of the New York Public Library on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in New York on November 4, 2026. This is a screenshot from a short video by Linda Novenski, who also took the photos below, and who said, “Always good to see y’all again. The passersby always love the music. Shut It Down!”A rather beautiful, Christmassy photo of campaigners in Brussels, in the Place de la Monnaie, on November 4, 2026.Detroit Amnesty campaigners outside the Federal Building in Detroit on November 4, 2026. Geraldine Grunow wrote, “It was surely a great day here in Michigan. No bad results, actually. The weather was terrible, though! Look at Dan’s umbrella being buffeted by the fierce wind. Ruth also joined us this month. Several supportive honks, but most people concentrated on staying upright! Best wishes to everyone. We appreciate all the good wishes from overseas!”
Julie Alley in Los Angeles on November 4, 2026. Jon Krampner wrote, “Julie and Kate MacQueen went to the Westwood Federal Building to protest Guantánamo; I was unable to attend. Julie said they got lots of positive feedback: honks and people making gestures of applause for their civic intrepidness. Julie made no mention to me of hostile words or gestures, so it sounds like a productive day.”
Former Guantánamo prisoner Mansoor Adayfi with two friends on November 4, 2026 in Belgrade, where, I hope, the recent stunning election victory by a student-led opposition movement to the right-wing president Aleksandar Vučić augurs well for Serbia’s future.In Mexico City, longtime Close Guantánamo supporter Natalia sent this photo, and said, “I took a photo with my altar for the Day of the Dead, which always includes the men murdered in Guantánamo. I hope you will include this.”Campaigners with the Peacemakers of Schoharie County in Cobleskill, NY on Saturday November 7, 2026, as part of the weekly vigils they’ve been holding since 2001 to campaign against the US’s multitude of injustices. Sue Spivack wrote, “Here we are on a chilly 41 degree F rainy morning in Cobleskill, NY, in pretty high spirits because of Democratic Party victories in our nationwide elections this week, advocating for GITMO closure, ICE abolition, and total restoration of our democracy. Thanks for coordinating all of this.”From Arizona, longtime supporter Lizzy sent this collage of images on November 4, 2026.
Investigative journalist, author, campaigner, commentator and public speaker. Recognized as an authority on Guantánamo and the “war on terror.” Co-founder, Close Guantánamo and We Stand With Shaker, singer/songwriter (The Four Fathers). Email Andy Worthington
Who's still at Guantánamo?
