When history is written about the disclosure of the policies and practices of the United States in relation to torture of detainees since 9-11, Jameel Jaffer’s work will play a key role.

Mr. Jaffer is director of the National Security Project of the ACLU. In 2003 he and colleague Amrit Singh began to follow that was emerging concerning allegations of abuse of prisoners in U.S. custody. This led to the filing of a Freedom of Information Request to try to ascertain whether there was a broader pattern of abuse.

This ACLU vs. Dept of Defense litigation ultimately led to the release of government records relating to the treatment and detention of detainees held by the U.s. in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo.

This event is co-sponsored by PCU, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the Los Angeles Region Religious Campaign Against Torture, KPFK, and Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace.