I Stand In
Solidarity With The Prisoners Of Guantanamo

By Jim Bush

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Not because of their innocence or
guilt, but because of their humanity 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Not because I agree with their
causes, whatever they may be, but because of my humanity

I stand in solidarity with the prisoners of Guantanamo
Because I believe in the values
and ethics my forebears passed down to me 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because of the long history of
struggle, both political and religious, for basic human rights

I stand in solidarity with the prisoners of Guantanamo
Because the unjust and inhumane
treatment of any man or woman, diminishes me 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because the unjust and inhumane
treatment of any man or woman, diminishes my country

I stand in solidarity with the prisoners of Guantanamo
Because the incarceration of any
human being without legal recourse is plain wrong 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because I was raised by my
parents, teachers, and preachers, to know better 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because my heart aches for their
and the suffering of their families 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because I fear for the effects
their treatment will have on the future of Democracy 

I stand in solidarity with the
prisoners of Guantanamo
Because I fear for the future of
the rule of law and what this could mean to my descendents

I stand in solidarity with the prisoners of Guantanamo
Not because of their innocence or
guilt, but because of their humanity