I wrote yesterday about the urgent need for the rest of the world to hold the United States, my own country, accountable for its crimes against prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. I received a number of emails from readers expressing agreement, but more importantly, a consuming feeling of helplessness.

My fellow Americans now associate the feeling of helplessness with our government. We are supposed to be the greatest nation on earth--our President is referred to as the "leader of the free world" and yet our government, which is supposed to be of, by, and for us, has allowed prisoners of the "War on Terror" to be abused, tortured, humiliated, and murdered in our names.

It's time to destroy that helpless feeling. In the coming days, I will be communicating with every progressive organization I can find and asking them to join me in planning a massive demonstration in Washington D.C. I don't want the people of this country to feel like they can't effect change, and I don't want you to give up.

If you are the leader or representative of an organization (right or left or anywhere in between) that believes torture is a violation of fundamental human rights, I urge you to contact me. We need to work together to forward the cause of human dignity in the world.

Our government is not going to do this for us. We must do it for ourselves, and for the world.

I will answer the call.

I ask you to join me.

In Solidarity,
Katherine Brengle