Military Attorneys Highlight of 2005 Biennial
ACLU of Southern California sent a strong contingent to participate in the 2005 ACLU Biennial Conference held in New Orleans. Many were still raving about the inspiring presentations of the five military defense lawyers awarded the Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award.
The attorneys, current and former members of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps, represented the first round of defendants at the Guantánamo Bay tribunals, and challenged the very nature of the military commission system. Each risked their careers in their advocacy and criticism of commission rules and procedures, lack of resources and treatment of their clients.
Sandy Graham-Jones, associate development director for the ACLU/SC, said the award ceremony was among the highlights of the conference. Having attended many biennial conferences during her 23-year career with the ACLU, this one was the most moving. The 10 standing ovations given “the brave and eloquent military JAG officers who have been so outspoken about the complete lack of due process afforded their clients who were all detained in the post-9/11 frenzy” touched her. Moving, too, was hearing Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, discuss compassion for convicts on death row, and listening to the head of the reproductive rights project outline just how dire that situation has become.
“It was workshop after workshop about the most important civil liberties issues confronting our nation,” Graham-Jones said. “It was four days of listening, learning, laughing, hugging and hoping for a better world. I never felt so proud of working at the ACLU.”
The 2005 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Awardees are:
✣ Lt. Col. Mark A. Bridges. A defense counsel in the Office of Chief Defense Counsel, representing Ali Amza Ahmed Sulayman al Bahlul, of Yemen. He challenged jurisdiction and procedures of the military commissions in federal court and in proceedings held in Guantánamo Bay.
✣ Maj. Michael D. Mori. Counsel for David Hicks, an Australian citizen detained at Guantánamo. He challenged the Pentagon’s military commissions, calling them “kangaroo courts.”
✣ Lt. Col. Sharon A. Schaffer. Former Deputy Chief Defense Counsel, she represented Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi, a Sudanese detainee. Calling the process “a travesty of justice,” she challenged her client’s designation as an enemy combatant and the fairness of the military commissions.
✣ Lt. Commander Philip Sundel. Former defense counsel in the Office of the Chief Defense Counsel, he represented Ali Hamza Ahmed Sulayman al Bahlul, of Yemen. He publicly charged that the tribunal process lacked the necessary checks and balances to be fair.
✣ Lt. Commander Charles D. Swift. A defense counsel in the Department of Defense, he represents Salim Ahmed Hamdan. He filed suit against the Secretary of Defense challenging the lawfulness of the military commissions.
“These five uniformed officers have gone above and beyond the call of duty in challenging the gross denial of legal rights to Guantánamo detainees,” said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the National ACLU. “As men and women in uniform, they have boldly demonstrated that national security and the protection of civil liberties need not be at odds.”
The award, established in 1989, is named for the founder of the ACLU. It comes with a $25,000 cash prize.
SEPTEMBER 2005
Download Issue as PDF
Stop Election Discrimination Against Jewish Voters
Countering Military Recruitment in Local Schools
The O'Connor Seat: Who Watches the Watchmen
Getting Closer to Answers on Immigration Sweeps
Budget Decisions Erode California's Safety Net
Struggle Over Student Censorship Continues
Yo siempre he sido rebelde. Aunque soy chiquita, yo siempre he luchado por defender mis derechos.*
ACLU Activism Influences State Legislative Efforts
Mandatory Parental Notification Law
Military Attorneys Highlight of 2005 Biennial
