Group Launches Virtual Campaign Space on Sixth Anniversary of Illegal Detentions at Guantánamo

CONTACT: media@aclu.org; (212) 549-2666

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a new site in Second Life (SL) as part of its Close Guantánamo campaign. January 11, 2008 marks the six-year anniversary of the arrival of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. The new virtual space includes "Gone GITMO," a program produced by Nonny de la Peña and Peggy Weil and built by SL architect Buhbuhcuh Fairchild. The program gives Second Life residents a glimpse into the inhumane conditions of indefinite detention at Camp X-Ray. While visiting the space, residents can also sign a petition and wear virtual orange clothing as a way to express opposition to torture and indefinite detention at the U.S.-run prison.

Upon my return from Miami Basel, I have a bad morning dream, a common one for art historians. I am preparing to participate in a panel discussion... the chair, a friendly man I know slightly (who was he?), approaches me as everyone readies: "Where are your slides?" he asks. I have none. And no notes. I don't even know the topic. "I thought this was an informal colloquium kind of thing," I reply.