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May we honor the dead.
May we bless the living.
May we pray for peace.
May we learn and teach.
May we challenge our assumptions.
May we invoke justice with compassion.
May we seek understanding instead of vengeance.
May we know ourselves, in all our parts.
May we love one another.
May we love.
…
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses to be witness to my prayer.
I will do my utmost best to uphold the spirit that dwells within these words, and when I fail, I will forgive myself and try again once more.
Edit: after I posted this prayer for those who died during and in the aftermath of 9/11/01, I read the news that another prisoner in Guantanamo Bay died: “the man who died Saturday had not been charged and had not been designated for prosecution.” This is criminal. Too many people died on the day of 9/11 and far too many have been killed since, at our hands, in retaliation for that act.
President Obama, you pledged to close this prison. The fact that it remains open, filled with all but a handful of men who have not been proven to have committed any crimes, yet have been tortured and held captive nonetheless, places a sorrowful burden upon the soul of the United States and of the citizens therein. We will continue to hold you accountable for the suffering of these men until a way is found to transfer, give trial, or release them. In case I cannot speak for my brothers and sisters, let it be known that I hold you accountable, you and all who have not made this right. Together, may we continue to work toward that which heals us all.
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