Press Releases

Reverend Al Sharpton to visit Bermuda in a show of support for premier Ewart Brown and efforts around resettlement of Guantanamo uighurs

New York, NY (June 19, 2009)—Reverend Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network, and one of the country’s leading civil rights advocates, will visit Bermuda Monday, June 22, to meet with Prime Minister Ewart Brown and clergy leaders to show of support from the civil rights community for the humanitarian deed and courage shown by Bermuda in offering four Uighur prisoners a home on the island nation of Bermuda.

The Premiere is under attack by the opposition party the United Bermuda Party (UPB) and the British government for housing the men even though a federal Judge ordered their release. The Uighurs are among several dozen detainees who cannot be returned to their home countries because they would be at risk of torture or other serious human rights violations.

Says Rev. Al Sharpton: “I am going to Bermuda to show support for the humanitarian gesture extended to these four men by the nation of Bermuda when even the courts said they deserved to be released. Humanitarianism should rise above political party concerns and I appeal to the British government to recognize the good will that this shows. As one that has visited Bermuda as recently as the past holidays, I am proud that I frequent and support a nation that supports humanitarian needs and the world should stand behind Premiere Brown at this time.”