Poor turnout for anti-torture news conference

[eridani]

http://baltimorechronicle.com/070604LaurenGoodsmith.shtml

"No one showed up." Disbelief strains the soft voice of Dr. Orlando Tizon, TASSC's Assistant Director. A survivor of detention and torture under the Marcos regime, Dr. Tizon helps foster the "Communities of Healing" that are central to TASSC's work and which now flourish throughout the U.S. and overseas. "There were survivors who were prepared, everything...but no response."

Later, over the course of the day, a few foreign TV crews stopped by, as well as a member of Spanish press. The US media stayed away-unless one counts the appearance of a lone journalist from the Voice of America.

The June 26th vigil was the culmination of a week-long series of gatherings and advocacy activities involving TASSC members from all around the world. A key event was the appearance, mid-week, of several TASSC members before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Not a single member of Congress, however, attended the hearing-with the exception of Dennis Kucinich, who made a brief statement, but then left without staying to hear any of the testimonials.

[Mel]

1. this is so sad

Why am I not surprised to read this...

* When contacted about the availability of a Presidential statement on the occasion of this year's UN Day in Support of Torture Victims, the response from the Office of the Press Secretary was terse: "We didn't put out one."

[Robbien]

2. What a sorry excuse the mainstream media is

and that goes double for our Senators, except for Dennis.

Does this not remind you of the Black Senate Caucus scene in F-911 where no one would step up and sign?

There must be an order out for a blanket of silence on the torture issue.