Guest Blog: Historic Victory For Habeas Corpus

Yesterday, the United States actually outclassed the world.

While the British House of Commons narrowly (and perhaps unethically) passed a law allowing terror suspects to be held for six weeks without charges, hearing, or trial, the United States Supreme Court threw out the Bush Administration's suspension of habeas corpus for individuals indefinitely detained at Guantánamo Bay.

This is truly a historic victory for Liberty in America.

But, it has only come about through the efforts of enraged citizens from all walks of life. It is an educated and informed citizenry that is the check against unfettered abuse of power by the government.

We are pleased to have a guest blog today from Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who encourages us all to celebrate a bit, but then stay vigilant and continue our struggle.

Finally, the Bush Administration system of injustice is starting to fall apart.

In a stunning blow to the Administration’s failed detention policies, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday in Boumediene v. Bush that the U.S. Constitution applies to the government’s detention policies at Guantánamo Bay. The Court made clear that detainees held at Guantánamo have a right to challenge their detention through habeas corpus.

Habeas corpus is the freedom from being thrown in prison illegally, with no help, no end in sight and no due process. As the ACLU has said all along, no president should ever be given the sole power to call someone an enemy, wave his or her hand, and lock that person away indefinitely.

You have helped the ACLU argue for years that America can be -- and must be -- both safe and free. Now, take heart in these words from today’s remarkable Supreme Court decision, authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy:

"The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times. Liberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system they are reconciled within the framework of the law."

The ACLU stands ready to stop any effort by the Bush Administration to get around this decision. Right now, we need your help to make sure this decision marks the beginning of the end of the reprehensible practices that have been carried out in the name of the American people at Guantánamo Bay, including the failed Military Commissions system.

Please take this opportunity to sign the ACLU’s "Close Guantanamo" petition, calling on America’s leaders to put an end to the injustice there. I hope you’ll urge your friends and family to sign the petition.

The tide is turning. Be part of history by acting now to build on the Supreme Court’s clear-cut affirmation of habeas corpus. Because, if we do, this can truly be the beginning of the end for all the lawlessness and injustice we’ve worked so hard to expose and stop.

Ask your friends and family to sign the petition to Close Guantánamo.

Thank you so much for all the hard work you’ve done and continue to do in the name of freedom. This is truly a day for everyone who loves liberty to take heart and redouble our efforts to restore the Constitutional principles so eroded over the last eight years.

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