I spent last week in Washington, D.C. with Witness Against Torture (WAT), a group started by the Catholic Worker in NYC and other people of faith, doing just what the name says: witnessing against torture. (To learn more about WAT go to www.witnesstorture.org)

I've been doing this for the last four years about the same time every year and have ended up in “time out” for thee of those four years. This year I once again got lucky by being given the “Sacrament of the Handcuffs” and being held for 30-plus hours before being arraigned before Judge Ringle in DC Superior Court.

About 60 of us witnessed in DC at various venues throughout the week. Included in the witnessing was a group fast, as part of the prayer aspect. Most of the 60-plus people were fasting; several fasted from 1/11 to 1/22, breaking fast at 7 p.m. that Friday. We were joined by more than 100 people around the country and world. I managed to fast from Sunday the 17th to Friday the 22nd.

The DC Police got used to our presence around DC, greeting us warmly, and some even asking how the fast was going. One officer asked a group where Matt was. (Matt Deliosio is one of the organizers of WAT).

A couple of the local government institutions called Matt and asked if we were planning an action on their turf – most notably The Supreme Court. I thought that was special and was quite touched by their concern.

On Thursday, Jan. 21, 42 of us went to the U.S. Capitol to bring the message of “Broken Laws. Broken Promises. Broken Lives” for the men at Guantanamo. We started at the White House, wearing our orange jumpsuits, like the ones that the detainees at Guantanamo wear, as well as the black hoods, and processed to the Supreme Court, where we stood on the sidewalk to silently vigil. (Remember, your right to free speech ends at the steps of the Supreme Court – at least that's according to Judge Gardner, who convicted 34 of us of unlawful free speech on Supreme Court grounds in May of 2008).

The Supreme Court officers filmed us as we stood. Protecting the citizenry from the unmitigated gall of the people peaceably assembling and calling the U.S. Government to account. My only regret of the week was that I did not pull open my jumpsuit and show off my black sweatshirt with bold, white capital letters that reads, “ARREST BUSH." But more on that sweatshirt later.

About 30 or so of us processed to the steps of the Capitol building that face the Supreme Court. It is quite a view, with the Court and the Library of Congress across the street.

We were warned that there were more than 20 of us and we did not have a permit. They gave us the requisite three warnings and then began to arrest us. (How about that – the Supreme Court had just decided not more than two days previously that there were no limits on free speech for corporations and unions – they could speak with their money all to their heart's content. “The People” however need permission from the government to speak in groups of more than 20. Oops! Forgive me – I digress.)

To view the action and arrest click HERE.

We were treated most kindly by our arresting officers and I had lovely chats with a couple of the officers while waiting for the police transport trucks (formerly known as “paddy wagons”) to come for us. We talked about marriage and how much work even the good ones take, shared recipes and good books to read.

While we were waiting we could hear their police radios talking about another witness in the Capital Rotunda. A group of our “plainclothes” people were inside on one of the tours and decided to hold a prayer service for the three men who were killed by being tortured to death at Guantanamo. (See Andy Worthington's article in the most recent issue of Harpers Magazine.) “There's another protest inside," the police said to us. “Really?” I said, “Wow!”

We were all (inside and outside folks, 42 of us in total) taken to the “Warehouse” to begin processing, where we were frisked, photographed (my photo has the aforementioned “ARREST BUSH” prominently displayed) and then we just sat (sans cuffs) and talked and sang and prayed. Again, the officers were by and large very nice to us – understanding why we witness. Most of the officers are people of color, so they get it on a very high level.

We were then taken to Central Cell Block (CCB) for more processing (mug shots and fingerprints) and the now requisite overnight stay before being arraigned the next day in court. People who live more than 100 miles from DC are now held overnight for arrests – no more “cite and release” for me! Brings a whole new dimension to the concept of “Capital Punishment." I wonder if this new rule will decrease the number of people who participate in civil disobedience in DC to speak out against the government? It certainly is a faster way to silence the people than using the Supreme Court to do so.

Again, the officers at CCB were very kind and respectful. “Civil Disobedience is a good thing. It is a good thing that you're doing,” one of them said, “Just bring ID and give your names next time. It makes things easier.” (Most of us did not bring ID and would not give our names until we appeared before the judge – we told the officers we were there on behalf of a prisoner at Guantanamo and give his name.) As we were leaving the same officer told us, “Dr. King would be proud of you all.”

As I was being transferred to the court holding cells from CCB, I was frisked by one of the US Marshals (standard procedure each time a prisoner is moved). She asked what I had been protesting against and I explained that I was witnessing as a Christian against the torture and the abuse of habeas corpus at Guantanamo. She replied that she was in the Marines and had been stationed at Guantanamo. “I should have been out there with you”, she said. What an incredible moment of grace.

We spent the day (from about 7 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.) in the court holding cells. As protesters, we were assigned to Traffic Court (What?!!) and held in cells separate from the rest of the population. The US Marshals would come back and talk with us as a kind of break from their work – even though we were technically part of their work.

In a small cell meant for two to three people maximum, they put eight of us. We slept (on the floor). We prayed. We sang. My cell mates requested me specifically to sing to them. I'm told I have a nice voice. So I sang and taught them some choruses so we could sing together.

As the day passed into evening, we were finally brought into court. We were supposed to be delivered at 2 p.m. but the paperwork was not ready. Our tax dollars NOT at work.

Five hours later I appeared before the judge three times before they had my paperwork so I could enter a plea and be released. The last time I appeared before Judge Ringle I made the sign of the cross to the tillers and chuckles of my supporters and witness in the gallery of the court. Only I wasn't trying to be funny.

The good part about this is that I was wearing my “ARREST BUSH” sweatshirt in the court. My fellow witnesses thought that was a nice touch. Please note that is quite probable that I will be sporting an “ARREST OBAMA” garment in the near future if he doesn't make good on his promise to close Guantanamo and really prohibit torture.

So now we are scheduled to appear on March 18 to choose a trial date and await a trial date and further instructions from the court.