Description
Object description
American peace protester in USA, 2004-2006
Content description
REEL 1 Early years as Catholic in St Louis, Missouri, USA: influence of mother, seeds of peace activity, life in Benedictine monastic community, formation of Stop Torture Now movement <STN>, mixed nature of St Louis. Role within Centre for Theology and Social Analysis including support for Palestine. Campaigning against torture and Extraordinary Rendition: formation of Stop Torture Now, major protest against Guantanamo prison camp; frustration at American President G W Bush's attitudes.
REEL 2 Continues: Extraordinary Rendition <ER>: description of procedure, legal status of Guantanamo prison camp, increase in knowledge about Extraordinary Rendition following case of Canadian inmate Mr Arar, Eastern European torture centres, instigation of Extraordinary Rendition by President Clinton and the different nature of Extraordinary Rendition under President Bush, attempts to visit Guantanamo, protest against aeronautic company in North Carolina engaged in Extraordinary Rendition and subsequent arrests and trials, levels of knowledge of Extraordinary Rendition.
REEL 3 Continues: Extraordinary Rendition: dismissal by American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice , comparison of attitudes of Europeans and Americans, ER plane spotters' roles, Bush administration's denial of torture, central holding of victims in Bagram, Afghanistan. Recollections about people 'disappeared' through Extraordinary Rendition.
REEL 4 Continues: Protests against Guantanamo prison camp 12/2005; plans for fifth anniversary protest 2007. Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq: public impact of revelations about torture, response of Bush administration and of Democrat party. American peace movement's role in helping American troops in Iraq. Dichotomy of significance of Boeing aircraft company to military and to Wimmer's employment. Peace movement in Latin America.
REEL 5 Continues: Significance of Amnesty International's 2005 report on Extraordinary Rendition. Challenges for American peace movement: growth of patriotism after 9/2001 aircraft highjackings, uncritical nature of press reports, withdrawal of Habeas Corpus law. Evidence of brutalising effect of war on returning American soldiers. Scant coverage in American press of Afghanistan or of Britain's role in Iraq.