TED Fellows Retreat 2015
Will Potter: The secret US prisons you've never heard of before
Will Potter: Les presons secretes dels EEUU de les que mai no has sentit a parlar
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El reporter investigador Will Potter és l'únic reporter que ha estat a dins d'una Unitat de Gestió de la Comunicació o CMU, a dins d'una presó dels EEUU. Aquestes unitats es van obrir en secret i canvien radicalment el tracte als presos, fins i tot els prohibeixen abraçar els propis fills. En Potter, un membre de TED, ens mostra qui hi ha i com el govern intenta amagar-ho. "El missatge va ser clar", va dir. "No parlis d'aquest lloc". Troba les fonts d'aquesta xerrada a willpotter.com/cmu
Will Potter - Investigative journalist
Award-winning journalist and author, Will Potter focuses on the animal rights and environmental movements, and civil liberties in the post-9/11 era. Full bio
Award-winning journalist and author, Will Potter focuses on the animal rights and environmental movements, and civil liberties in the post-9/11 era. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
Father Daniel Berrigan once said
that "writing about prisoners
that "writing about prisoners
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El pare Daniel Berrigan un cop va dir
"escriure sobre els presos
"escriure sobre els presos
00:16
is a little like writing about the dead."
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és una mica com escriure
sobre els morts."
sobre els morts."
00:19
I think what he meant is that
we treat prisoners as ghosts.
we treat prisoners as ghosts.
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Crec que volia dir que tractem
els presos com a fantasmes.
els presos com a fantasmes.
00:22
They're unseen and unheard.
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Ningú no els veu ni els escolta.
00:25
It's easy to simply ignore them
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És més fàcil ignorar-los
00:27
and it's even easier when the government
goes to great lengths to keep them hidden.
goes to great lengths to keep them hidden.
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i més fàcil encara quan el govern
fa un gran esforç per amagar-los.
fa un gran esforç per amagar-los.
00:31
As a journalist, I think these stories
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Com a periodista,
crec que aquestes històries
crec que aquestes històries
00:33
of what people in power do
when no one is watching,
when no one is watching,
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del que fa la gent al poder
quan ningú no els veu,
quan ningú no els veu,
00:37
are precisely the stories
that we need to tell.
that we need to tell.
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són precisament les històries
que s'han d'explicar.
que s'han d'explicar.
00:40
That's why I began investigating
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Això em va fer investigar
00:41
the most secretive and experimental
prison units in the United States,
prison units in the United States,
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les presons més secretes i
experimentals dels Estats Units,
experimentals dels Estats Units,
00:45
for so-called "second-tier" terrorists.
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per als anomenats terroristes de segona.
00:49
The government calls these units
Communications Management Units or CMUs.
Communications Management Units or CMUs.
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El govern les anomena
Unitats de Gestió de la Comunicació o CMU.
Unitats de Gestió de la Comunicació o CMU.
00:54
Prisoners and guards call them
"Little Guantanamo."
"Little Guantanamo."
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Els presos i els guàrdies en diuen
la "Petita Guantànamo."
la "Petita Guantànamo."
00:58
They are islands unto themselves.
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Són illes en si mateixes.
01:01
But unlike Gitmo they exist
right here, at home,
right here, at home,
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Però a diferència de Guantànamo
es troben aquí mateix, a casa,
es troben aquí mateix, a casa,
01:05
floating within larger federal prisons.
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flotant dintre d'altres
presons federals més grans.
presons federals més grans.
01:09
There are 2 CMUs.
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Hi ha 2 CMU.
01:10
One was opened inside the prison
in Terre Haute, Indiana,
in Terre Haute, Indiana,
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Una va obrir dins la presó
de Terre Haute, Indiana,
de Terre Haute, Indiana,
01:14
and the other is inside this prison,
in Marion, Illinois.
in Marion, Illinois.
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i l'altra és dins d'aquesta presó,
a Marion, Illinois.
a Marion, Illinois.
01:18
Neither of them underwent
the formal review process
the formal review process
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Cap no va seguir el
procés de revisió
procés de revisió
01:21
that is required by law
when they were opened.
when they were opened.
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que la llei requereix
quan es van obrir.
quan es van obrir.
01:25
CMU prisoners have all
been convicted of crimes.
been convicted of crimes.
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Tots els presos a les CMU
han estat condemnats.
han estat condemnats.
01:28
Some of their cases are questionable
and some involve threats and violence.
and some involve threats and violence.
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Alguns casos són qüestionables,
altres inclouen amenaces i violència.
altres inclouen amenaces i violència.
01:33
I'm not here to argue the guilt
or innocence of any prisoner.
or innocence of any prisoner.
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No rebatré la culpabilitat
o la inocència dels presos.
o la inocència dels presos.
01:36
I'm here because as Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall said,
Thurgood Marshall said,
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Sóc aquí perquè com va dir el jutge de
la Cort Suprema Thurgood Marshall
la Cort Suprema Thurgood Marshall
01:39
"When the prisons and gates slam shut,
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"Quan les portes de les presons es tanquen
01:42
prisoners do not lose
their human quality."
their human quality."
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els presos no perden
la qualitat humana."
la qualitat humana."
01:46
Every prisoner I've interviewed
has said there are three flecks of light
has said there are three flecks of light
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Tots el presos que he entrevistat
diuen que hi ha tres raigs de llum
diuen que hi ha tres raigs de llum
01:51
in the darkness of prison:
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a l'obscuritat de la presó:
01:53
phone calls,
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les trucades,
01:54
letters
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les cartes,
01:56
and visits from family.
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i les visites dels familiars.
01:58
CMUs aren't solitary confinement,
but they radically restrict all of these
but they radically restrict all of these
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Les CMU no són presons d'aïllament,
però limiten tot això radicalment
però limiten tot això radicalment
02:02
to levels that meet or exceed the most
extreme prisons in the United States.
extreme prisons in the United States.
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a nivells que igualen o superen
les presons més extremes dels EEUU.
les presons més extremes dels EEUU.
02:06
Their phone calls can be limited
to 45 minutes a month,
to 45 minutes a month,
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Les trucades es poden limitar a
45 minuts al mes,
45 minuts al mes,
02:09
compared to the 300 minutes
other prisoners receive.
other prisoners receive.
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comparat amb el 300 minuts
d'altres presos.
d'altres presos.
02:14
Their letters can be limited
to six pieces of paper.
to six pieces of paper.
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Les cartes es poden
limitar a sis fulls.
limitar a sis fulls.
02:17
Their visits can be limited
to four hours per month,
to four hours per month,
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Les visites es poden limitar
a 4 hores al mes,
a 4 hores al mes,
02:19
compared to the 35 hours that people
like Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph
like Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph
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comparat amb les 35 que l'Eric Rudolph,
que va bombardejar el Parc Olímpic,
que va bombardejar el Parc Olímpic,
02:25
receive in the supermax.
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té a la de màxima seguretat.
02:28
On top of that, CMU visits are non-contact
which means prisoners are not allowed
which means prisoners are not allowed
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A més, a les visites de les CMU
no hi ha contacte, i els presos
no hi ha contacte, i els presos
02:33
to even hug their family.
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no poden ni abraçar la família.
02:36
As one CMU prisoner said,
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Com va dir un pres d'una CMU,
02:38
"We're not being tortured here,
except psychologically."
except psychologically."
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"Aquí no ens torturen,
excepte psicològicament."
excepte psicològicament."
02:42
The government won't say
who is imprisoned here.
who is imprisoned here.
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El govern no dirà qui hi ha
empresonat aquí.
empresonat aquí.
02:45
But through court documents,
open records requests
open records requests
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Però a través de documents dels jutjats,
peticions obertes de registres
peticions obertes de registres
02:49
and interviews with current
and former prisoners,
and former prisoners,
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i entrevistes amb antics i
actuals presos,
actuals presos,
02:51
some small windows
into the CMUs have opened.
into the CMUs have opened.
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s'han obert petits forats
en les CMU.
en les CMU.
02:56
There's an estimated
60 to 70 prisoners here,
60 to 70 prisoners here,
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Calculem que aquí hi ha
entre 60 i 70 presos,
entre 60 i 70 presos,
02:59
and they're overwhelmingly Muslim.
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i la majoria són musulmans.
03:01
They include people like Dr. Rafil Dhafir,
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Tenen gent com
el Dr. Rafil Dhafir,
el Dr. Rafil Dhafir,
03:05
who violated the economic sanctions
on Iraq by sending medical supplies
on Iraq by sending medical supplies
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que va violar les sancions econòmiques a
Iraq enviant subministraments mèdics
Iraq enviant subministraments mèdics
03:09
for the children there.
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per als nens.
03:11
They've included people like Yassin Aref.
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També hi ha gent com el Yassin Aref.
03:14
Aref and his family fled to New York
from Saddam Hussein's Iraq as refugees.
from Saddam Hussein's Iraq as refugees.
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Amb la família van fugir de l'Iraq,
de Saddam Hussein, com a refugiats,
cap a Nova York.
cap a Nova York.
03:20
He was arrested in 2004
as part of an FBI sting.
as part of an FBI sting.
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Va ser arrestat el 2004
en una operació de l'FBI.
en una operació de l'FBI.
03:24
Aref is an imam and he was asked
to bear witness to a loan,
to bear witness to a loan,
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L'Aref és un imam i li van demanar
ser testimoni d'un préstec,
ser testimoni d'un préstec,
03:28
which is a tradition in Islamic culture.
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que és una tradició
a la cultura islàmica.
a la cultura islàmica.
03:30
It turned out that one of the people
involved in the loan was trying to enlist
involved in the loan was trying to enlist
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Va resultar que un dels participants
volia reclutar algú
volia reclutar algú
03:34
someone else in a fake attack.
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per a una simulació d'atac.
03:37
Aref didn't know.
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L'Aref no ho sabia.
03:39
For that, he was convicted
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Per això, va ser condemnat
03:40
of conspiracy to provide material support
to a terrorist group.
to a terrorist group.
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per conspiració, per oferir
suport material a un grup terrorista.
suport material a un grup terrorista.
03:46
The CMUs also include
some non-Muslim prisoners.
some non-Muslim prisoners.
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Les CMU també inclouen presos
que no són musulmans.
que no són musulmans.
03:49
The guards call them "balancers,"
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Els guardians els anomenen
"equilibradors"
"equilibradors"
03:52
meaning they help balance out
the racial numbers,
the racial numbers,
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perquè ajuden a equilibrar
les estadístiques racials,
les estadístiques racials,
03:55
in hopes of deflecting law suits.
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per evitar plets.
03:58
These balancers include animal rights
and environmental activists
and environmental activists
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Inclouen
defensors dels animals
i activistes mediambientals
i activistes mediambientals
04:01
like Daniel McGowan.
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com el Daniel McGowan.
04:03
McGowan was convicted
of participating in two arsons
of participating in two arsons
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En McGowan va ser condemnat per
participar en dos incendis
participar en dos incendis
04:06
in the name of defending the environment
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en nom de la defensa del medi ambient
04:08
as part of the Earth Liberation Front.
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com a part del
"Front de Llibertat per la Terra".
"Front de Llibertat per la Terra".
04:11
During his sentencing, he was afraid
that he would be sent
that he would be sent
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Durant el judici tenia por
que l'enviessin
que l'enviessin
04:14
to a rumored secret prison for terrorists.
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a una suposada presó secreta
per a terroristes.
per a terroristes.
04:17
The judge dismissed all those fears,
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El jutge va desestimar aquesta por,
04:19
saying that they
weren't supported by any facts.
weren't supported by any facts.
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dient que els rumors no eren certs.
04:22
But that might be because the government
hasn't fully explained
hasn't fully explained
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Però això pot ser perquè el govern
no ha explicat del tot
no ha explicat del tot
04:25
why some prisoners end up in a CMU,
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per què alguns presos
acaben a les CMU,
acaben a les CMU,
04:28
and who is responsible
for these decisions.
for these decisions.
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i qui és responsable
d'aquestes decisions.
d'aquestes decisions.
04:32
When McGowan was transferred, he was told
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Quan McGowan va ser transferit,
li van dir
li van dir
04:34
it's because he is a "domestic terrorist,"
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que era perquè era
un "terrorista nacional",
un "terrorista nacional",
04:37
a term the FBI uses repeatedly when
talking about environmental activists.
talking about environmental activists.
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un terme que l'FBI utilitza molt quan
parla d'activistes mediambientals.
parla d'activistes mediambientals.
04:42
Now, keep in mind there are about 400
prisoners in US prisons
prisoners in US prisons
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Ara, penseu que hi ha 400 presos
a les presons dels EEUU
a les presons dels EEUU
04:46
who are classified as terrorists,
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classificats com a terroristes,
04:48
and only a handful of them
are in the CMUs.
are in the CMUs.
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i només un grapat són en una CMU.
04:51
In McGowan's case, he was previously
at a low-security prison
at a low-security prison
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En McGowan es trobava primer
a una presó de baixa seguretat
a una presó de baixa seguretat
04:54
and he had no communications violations.
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i no tenia cap infracció de comunicació.
04:59
So, why was he moved?
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Llavors, per què el van traslladar?
05:02
Like other CMU prisoners,
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Com altres presos de CMU,
05:03
McGowan repeatedly asked
for an answer, a hearing,
for an answer, a hearing,
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McGowan continua demanant
una resposta, una vista judicial,
una resposta, una vista judicial,
05:07
or some opportunity for an appeal.
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o una oportunitat per apel·lar.
05:10
This example from another prisoner
shows how those requests are viewed.
shows how those requests are viewed.
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L'exemple d'un altre pres mostra
com es tracten aquestes peticions.
com es tracten aquestes peticions.
05:15
"Wants a transfer." "Told him no."
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"Vol que el transfereixin."
"Se li ha dit que no."
"Se li ha dit que no."
05:19
At one point, the prison warden himself
recommended McGowan's transfer
recommended McGowan's transfer
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El mateix guàrdia de la presó
va recomanar traslladar en McGowan
va recomanar traslladar en McGowan
05:23
out of the CMU citing his good behavior,
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fora de la CMU per bon comportament,
05:26
but the warden was overruled
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però ho va denegar
05:28
by the Bureau of Prison's
Counterterrorism Unit,
Counterterrorism Unit,
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la Unitat Antiterrorista
del Departament de Presons
del Departament de Presons
05:31
working with the Joint Terrorism
Task Force of the FBI.
Task Force of the FBI.
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que treballa amb el Grup de
Lluita Antiterrorista de l'FBI.
Lluita Antiterrorista de l'FBI.
05:35
Later I found out that McGowan
was really sent to a CMU
was really sent to a CMU
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Després vaig saber que en McGowan
va acabar en una CMU
va acabar en una CMU
05:38
not because of what he did,
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no pel que havia fet,
05:40
but what he has said.
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sinó pel que havia dit.
05:42
A memo from the Counterterrorism Unit
cited McGowan's "anti-government beliefs."
cited McGowan's "anti-government beliefs."
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Un document de la
Unitat Antiterrorista citava
Unitat Antiterrorista citava
les seves "creences antigovernamentals".
05:48
While imprisoned, he continued writing
about environmental issues,
about environmental issues,
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A la presó, continuava escrivint
sobre problemes mediambientals,
sobre problemes mediambientals,
05:51
saying that activists must
reflect on their mistakes
reflect on their mistakes
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dient que els activistes han de
pensar en els seus errors
pensar en els seus errors
05:54
and listen to each other.
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i escoltar-se uns als altres.
05:56
Now, in fairness, if you've spent
any time at all in Washington, DC,
any time at all in Washington, DC,
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Ara, sincerament, si heu estat
a Washington DC,
a Washington DC,
06:00
you know this is really a radical
concept for the government.
concept for the government.
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sabreu que aquest és un concepte
realment radical pel govern.
realment radical pel govern.
06:04
(Laughter)
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(Rialles)
06:06
I actually asked to visit
McGowan in the CMU.
McGowan in the CMU.
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De fet jo vaig demanar una visita
a en McGowan a la CMU.
a en McGowan a la CMU.
06:10
And I was approved.
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I la van aprovar.
06:12
That came as quite a shock.
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Això em va sobtar.
06:14
First, because as I've discussed
on this stage before,
on this stage before,
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Primer, perquè com he dit abans
06:19
I learned that the FBI has been
monitoring my work.
monitoring my work.
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vaig saber que l'FBI havia estat
seguint la meva feina.
seguint la meva feina.
06:23
Second, because it would make me the first
and only journalist to visit a CMU.
and only journalist to visit a CMU.
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Segon, perquè seria el primer i l'únic
periodista que visités una CMU.
periodista que visités una CMU.
Fins i tot vaig saber
06:29
I had even learned
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06:30
through the Bureau of Prisons
Counterterrorism Unit,
Counterterrorism Unit,
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a través de la Unitat Antiterrorista del
Departament de Presons,
Departament de Presons,
06:33
that they had been monitoring my speeches
about CMUs, like this one.
about CMUs, like this one.
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que seguien les meves
xerrades sobre CMU, com aquesta.
xerrades sobre CMU, com aquesta.
06:39
So how could I possibly
be approved to visit?
be approved to visit?
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Com podia ser
que m'aprovessin la visita?
que m'aprovessin la visita?
06:43
A few days before I went
out to the prison, I got an answer.
out to the prison, I got an answer.
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Dies abans d'anar a la presó,
vaig tenir la resposta.
vaig tenir la resposta.
06:48
I was allowed to visit McGowan
as a friend, not a journalist.
as a friend, not a journalist.
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Em deixaven visitar en McGowan
com a amic, no com a periodista.
com a amic, no com a periodista.
06:52
Journalists are not allowed here.
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Els periodistes no hi tenen accés.
06:54
McGowan was told by CMU officials
that if I asked any questions
that if I asked any questions
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Els oficials de la CMU li van dir a en
McGowan que si jo preguntava
McGowan que si jo preguntava
06:58
or published any story,
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o publicava cap història,
07:00
that he would be punished
for my reporting.
for my reporting.
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ell seria castigat pel que jo digués.
07:04
When I arrived for our visit,
the guards reminded me
the guards reminded me
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Quan vaig arribar a la visita,
em van recordar
em van recordar
07:06
that they knew who I was
and knew about my work.
and knew about my work.
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que sabien qui era
i coneixien la meva feina.
i coneixien la meva feina.
07:09
And they said that if I attempted
to interview McGowan,
to interview McGowan,
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I van dir que si intentava
entrevistar a en McGowan,
entrevistar a en McGowan,
07:11
the visit would be terminated.
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s'acabaria la visita.
07:14
The Bureau of Prisons describes CMUs
as "self-contained housing units."
as "self-contained housing units."
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El Departament de Presons descriu les CMU
com a "unitats de reclusió independents".
com a "unitats de reclusió independents".
07:20
But I think that's an Orwellian way
of describing black holes.
of describing black holes.
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Però crec que és una manera
Orwelliana de descriure forats negres.
Orwelliana de descriure forats negres.
07:24
When you visit a CMU,
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Quan visites una CMU,
07:25
you go through all the security
checkpoints that you would expect.
checkpoints that you would expect.
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passes per tots els registres de seguretat
que t'esperaries.
que t'esperaries.
07:29
But then the walk
to the visitation room is silent.
to the visitation room is silent.
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Però el camí fins a la
sala de visites és silenciós.
sala de visites és silenciós.
07:33
When a CMU prisoner has a visit,
the rest of the prison is on lockdown.
the rest of the prison is on lockdown.
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Quan un pres d'una CMU té visita,
es tanquen totes les cel·les.
es tanquen totes les cel·les.
07:39
I was ushered into a small room,
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Em van portar a una habitació petita,
07:40
so small my outstretched arms
could touch each wall.
could touch each wall.
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tan petita que obrint els barços
tocava les dues parets.
tocava les dues parets.
07:44
There was a grapefruit-sized
orb in the ceiling
orb in the ceiling
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Al sostre hi havia una càmera
de la mida d'una taronja
de la mida d'una taronja
07:47
for the visit to be live-monitored
by the Counterterrorism Unit
by the Counterterrorism Unit
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perquè la Unitat Antiterrorista
pugués seguir la visita
pugués seguir la visita
07:50
in West Virginia.
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des de West Virginia.
07:52
The unit insists that all the visits
have to be in English for CMU prisoners,
have to be in English for CMU prisoners,
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La unitat insisteix que totes les visites
a les CMU han de ser en anglès,
a les CMU han de ser en anglès,
07:57
which is an additional hardship
for many of the Muslim families.
for many of the Muslim families.
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que és un problema adicional
per a moltes famílies musulmanes.
per a moltes famílies musulmanes.
08:00
There is a thick sheet of foggy,
bulletproof glass
bulletproof glass
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Hi ha un vidre antibales entelat
08:04
and on the other side was Daniel McGowan.
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i a l'altre costat estava en McGowan.
08:08
We spoke through these handsets
attached to the wall
attached to the wall
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Vam parlar per uns telèfons
que hi havia a la paret
que hi havia a la paret
08:10
and talked about books and movies.
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de llibres i de pel·lícules.
08:13
We did our best to find reasons to laugh.
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Vam esforçar-nos en trobar
raons per riure.
raons per riure.
08:16
To fight boredom and amuse himself
while in the CMU,
while in the CMU,
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Per combatre l'avorriment
i entretenir-se a la CMU,
i entretenir-se a la CMU,
08:19
McGowan had been spreading a rumor
that I was secretly the president
that I was secretly the president
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en McGowan havia dit que jo era,
en secret, el president
en secret, el president
08:23
of a Twilight fan club in Washington, DC
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d'un club de fans de 'Crepuscle'
de Washington DC.
de Washington DC.
08:27
(Laughter)
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(Rialles)
08:29
For the record, I'm not.
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Que consti que no ho sóc.
08:32
(Laughter)
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(Rialles)
08:33
But I kind of the hope the FBI
now thinks that Bella and Edward
now thinks that Bella and Edward
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Però m'agradaria que l'FBI
ara pensés que Bella i Edward
ara pensés que Bella i Edward
08:37
are terrorist code names.
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són noms en codi de terroristes.
08:39
(Laughter)
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(Rialles)
08:42
During our visit, McGowan spoke most
and at length about his niece Lily,
and at length about his niece Lily,
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Durant la visita, en McGowan em va parlar
molt de la seva neboda Lily,
molt de la seva neboda Lily,
08:48
his wife Jenny and how torturous
it feels to never be able to hug them,
it feels to never be able to hug them,
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de la Jenny, la seva dona, i l'agonia
de no poder abraçar-les mai,
de no poder abraçar-les mai,
08:54
to never be able to hold their hands.
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no poder agafar-los les mans.
08:58
Three months after our visit, McGowan
was transferred out of the CMU
was transferred out of the CMU
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Tres mesos després de la visita,
el van treure de la CMU
el van treure de la CMU
09:01
and then, without warning,
he was sent back again.
he was sent back again.
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i després, sense cap avís,
l'hi van tornar a portar.
l'hi van tornar a portar.
09:05
I had published leaked
CMU documents on my website
CMU documents on my website
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Jo havia publicat documents filtrats
de la CMU a la meva web
de la CMU a la meva web
09:10
and the Counterterrorism Unit said
that McGowan had called his wife
that McGowan had called his wife
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i la Unitat Antiterrorista deia que
en McGowan havia trucat
en McGowan havia trucat
09:13
and asked her to mail them.
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a la seva dona per demanar-li
que els enviés.
que els enviés.
09:16
He wanted to see what the government
was saying about him,
was saying about him,
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Volia saber el que el govern
deia d'ell,
deia d'ell,
09:19
and for that he was sent back to the CMU.
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i per això el van tornar
a enviar a la CMU.
a enviar a la CMU.
09:21
When he was finally released
at the end of his sentence,
at the end of his sentence,
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Quan el van alliberar
al final de la sentència,
al final de la sentència,
09:24
his story got even more Kafkaesque.
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tot això es va tornar
encara més kafkià.
encara més kafkià.
09:27
He wrote an article
for the Huffington Post headlined,
for the Huffington Post headlined,
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Va escriure un article per al
Huffington Post titulat
Huffington Post titulat
09:29
"Court Documents Prove I was Sent to
a CMU for my Political Speech."
a CMU for my Political Speech."
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"Documents judicials proven que vaig ser
a una CMU pel meu discurs polític"
a una CMU pel meu discurs polític"
09:34
The next day he was thrown
back in jail for his political speech.
back in jail for his political speech.
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El dia següent el van tornar
a la presó pel seu discurs polític.
a la presó pel seu discurs polític.
09:40
His attorneys quickly secured his release,
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Els seus advocats
el van treure ràpidament,
el van treure ràpidament,
09:42
but the message was very clear:
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però el missatge era molt clar:
09:45
Don't talk about this place.
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No parlis d'aquest lloc.
09:48
Today, nine years after they were opened
by the Bush administration,
by the Bush administration,
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Avui, 9 anys després
que l'administració de Bush les obrís,
que l'administració de Bush les obrís,
09:53
the government is codifying
how and why CMUs were created.
how and why CMUs were created.
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el govern està codificant com
i per què es van crear les CMU.
i per què es van crear les CMU.
09:57
According to the Bureau of Prisons,
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Segons el Departament de Presons,
09:59
they are for prisoners
with "inspirational significance."
with "inspirational significance."
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són per a presos amb un
"significat inspirador".
"significat inspirador".
10:04
I think that is very nice way of saying
these are political prisons
these are political prisons
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Crec que és una bona manera
de dir que són presons polítiques
de dir que són presons polítiques
10:08
for political prisoners.
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per a presos polítics.
10:10
Prisoners are sent to a CMU
because of their race,
because of their race,
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S'envien el presos a les CMU
per la seva raça,
per la seva raça,
10:13
their religion or their
political beliefs.
political beliefs.
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la religió o les idees polítiques.
10:16
Now, if you think that
characterization is too strong,
characterization is too strong,
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I si penseu que és una
afirmació massa agosarada,
afirmació massa agosarada,
10:19
just look at some
of the government's own documents.
of the government's own documents.
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mireu alguns documents
del govern mateix.
del govern mateix.
10:22
When some of McGowan's mail was rejected
by the CMU, the sender was told
by the CMU, the sender was told
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Quan la CMU va denegar algunes cartes
d'en McGowan, li van dir a l'emissor
d'en McGowan, li van dir a l'emissor
10:26
it's because the letters were intended
"for political prisoners."
"for political prisoners."
185
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3614
que era perquè les cartes eren
"per a presos polítics".
"per a presos polítics".
10:31
When another prisoner, animal rights
activist Andy Stepanian,
activist Andy Stepanian,
186
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Un altre pres, l'activista pels drets
dels animals Andy Stepanian,
dels animals Andy Stepanian,
10:35
was sent to a CMU, it was because of his
anti-government and anti-corporate views.
anti-government and anti-corporate views.
187
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5389
va acabar a un CMU per les seves opinions
antigovernamentals i anticorporatives.
antigovernamentals i anticorporatives.
10:41
Now, I know all of this
may be hard to believe,
may be hard to believe,
188
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Sé que és difícil de creure
10:44
that it's happening right now,
and in the United States.
and in the United States.
189
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3958
que això passi avui
als Estats Units.
als Estats Units.
10:49
But the unknown reality
is that the US has a dark history
is that the US has a dark history
190
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3636
Però el que no se sap és
que els EEUU tenen una història fosca
que els EEUU tenen una història fosca
10:52
of disproportionately punishing people
because of their political beliefs.
because of their political beliefs.
191
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4391
de castigar desproporcionadament
les persones per les idees polítiques.
les persones per les idees polítiques.
10:57
In the 1960s, before Marion
was home to the CMU,
was home to the CMU,
192
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4446
Als 60, abans que Marion
acollís la CMU,
acollís la CMU,
11:02
it was home to the notorious Control Unit.
193
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2881
hi tenia la infame Unitat de Control.
11:05
Prisoners were locked down
in solitary for 22 hours a day.
in solitary for 22 hours a day.
194
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3949
Els presos estaven tancats
en solitud 22 hores al dia.
en solitud 22 hores al dia.
11:10
The warden said the unit
was to "control revolutionary attitudes."
was to "control revolutionary attitudes."
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5706
Els guàrdies deien que la unitat era per
"controlar actituds revolucionàries".
"controlar actituds revolucionàries".
11:16
In the 1980s, another experiment called
the Lexington High Security Unit
the Lexington High Security Unit
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4947
Als 80, un altre experiment anomenat
Unitat d'Alta Seguretat de Lexington
Unitat d'Alta Seguretat de Lexington
11:21
held women connected
to the Weather Underground,
to the Weather Underground,
197
669817
2428
era per a dones de grups radicals
com Weather Underground,
com Weather Underground,
11:24
Black Liberation and Puerto Rican
independent struggles.
independent struggles.
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3266
la Lliberació Negra o
per la independència porto-riquenya.
per la independència porto-riquenya.
11:27
The prison radically restricted
communication and used sleep deprivation,
communication and used sleep deprivation,
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4246
La presó restringia
fortament la comunicació
i practicava la privació de son,
i practicava la privació de son,
11:32
and constant light for so-called
"ideological conversion."
"ideological conversion."
200
680257
4597
amb els llums encesos constantment
per l'anomenada "conversió ideològica".
per l'anomenada "conversió ideològica".
11:37
Those prisons were eventually shut down,
but only through the campaigning
but only through the campaigning
201
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5092
Al final van tancar aquelles presons,
però només per les campanyes
però només per les campanyes
11:43
of religious groups and human rights
advocates, like Amnesty International.
advocates, like Amnesty International.
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4401
de grups religiosos i defensors dels
drets humans, com Amnistia Internacional.
drets humans, com Amnistia Internacional.
11:48
Today, civil rights lawyers
with the Center for Constitutional Rights
with the Center for Constitutional Rights
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696398
3926
Avui, advocats dels drets humans amb
el Centre pels Drets Constitucionals
el Centre pels Drets Constitucionals
11:52
are challenging CMUs in court
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2379
lluiten als jutjats amb les CMU
11:54
for depriving prisoners
of their due process rights
of their due process rights
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2555
perquè neguen als presos
el dret a un procés just
el dret a un procés just
11:57
and for retaliating against them
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i prenen represàlies contra ells
11:59
for their protected political
and religious speech.
and religious speech.
207
707434
3310
pel seu legítim discurs,
polític o religiós.
polític o religiós.
12:03
Many of these documents would have
never come to light without this lawsuit.
never come to light without this lawsuit.
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3668
Sense aquest plet, molts d'aquests
documents mai s'haurien fet públics.
documents mai s'haurien fet públics.
12:08
The message of these groups
and my message for you today
and my message for you today
209
716398
4631
El missatge d'aquests grups i el meu
per a vosaltres avui
per a vosaltres avui
12:13
is that we must bear witness
to what is being done to these prisoners.
to what is being done to these prisoners.
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3756
és que hem de ser testimonis del que
es fa amb aquests presos.
es fa amb aquests presos.
12:16
Their treatment is a reflection
of the values held beyond prison walls.
of the values held beyond prison walls.
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5043
Com els tracten reflecteix els valors
que hi ha fora dels murs de la presó.
que hi ha fora dels murs de la presó.
12:22
This story is not just about prisoners.
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2616
Aquesta història no és només
sobre els presos.
sobre els presos.
12:24
It is about us.
213
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2024
És sobre tots nosaltres.
12:27
It is about our own commitment
to human rights.
to human rights.
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2747
Sobre el nostre compromís amb
els drets humans.
els drets humans.
12:29
It is about whether we will choose to stop
repeating the mistakes of our past.
repeating the mistakes of our past.
215
737798
4725
Sobre si escollirem parar de repetir
els errors del passat.
els errors del passat.
12:35
If we don't listen to what Father Berrigan
described as the stories of the dead,
described as the stories of the dead,
216
743077
5032
Si no escoltem el que el Pare Berrigan
anomenava les històries dels morts,
anomenava les històries dels morts,
12:40
they will soon become
the stories of ourselves.
the stories of ourselves.
217
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2463
aviat seran les nostres històries.
12:42
Thank you.
218
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1150
Gràcies.
12:44
(Applause)
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752074
2698
(Aplaudiment)
12:51
(Applause ends)
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2000
(Finalitza l'aplaudiment)
12:53
Tom Rielly: I have a couple questions.
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1835
Tom Rielly: Tinc dues preguntes.
12:55
When I was in high school,
I learned about the Bill of Rights,
I learned about the Bill of Rights,
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3928
Quan era a l'institut, apreníem sobre
la Declaració dels Drets Humans,
la Declaració dels Drets Humans,
12:59
the Constitution, freedom of speech,
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2896
la Constitució, la llibertat d'expressió,
13:02
due process and
about 25 other laws and rights
about 25 other laws and rights
224
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4533
el dret a un procés just i
unes altres 25 lleis i drets
unes altres 25 lleis i drets
13:07
that seem to be violated by this.
225
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1784
que semblen violades per tot això.
13:09
How could this possibly be happening?
226
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2704
Com pot estar passant tot això?
13:12
Will Potter: I think that's
the number one question I get
the number one question I get
227
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2691
Will Potter: Crec que aquesta
és la pregunta més freqüent
és la pregunta més freqüent
13:15
throughout all of my work,
228
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1987
que m'han fet durant la meva recerca,
13:17
and the short answer is
that people don't know.
that people don't know.
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3134
i la resposta curta és
que la gent no ho sap.
que la gent no ho sap.
13:20
I think the solution to any of these types
of situations, any rights abuses,
of situations, any rights abuses,
230
788809
3891
Crec que la solució a qualsevol d'aquests
problemes, a qualsevol violació de drets,
problemes, a qualsevol violació de drets,
13:24
are really dependent on two things.
231
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1693
depèn bàsicament de dos factors.
13:26
They're dependent on knowledge
that it's actually happening
that it's actually happening
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2796
Depèn de que se sàpiga
què està passant
què està passant
13:29
and then a means and efficacy
to actually make a change.
to actually make a change.
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4282
i després que hi hagi recursos
i eficàcia per canviar-ho.
i eficàcia per canviar-ho.
13:33
And unfortunately with these prisoners,
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2397
I malauradament
amb aquests presos,
amb aquests presos,
13:35
one, people don't know
what's happening at all
what's happening at all
235
803988
2575
primer, la gent no sap res
del que passa
del que passa
13:38
and then they're already
disenfranchised populations
disenfranchised populations
236
806587
2588
i a més els presos ja són part
d'una població sense drets
d'una població sense drets
13:41
who don't have access to attorneys,
not native English speakers.
not native English speakers.
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809199
4032
que no té accés a advocats,
ni parlen anglès.
ni parlen anglès.
13:45
In some of these cases, they have great
representation that I mentioned,
representation that I mentioned,
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813255
3410
A vegades, tenen bona representació,
com he dit,
com he dit,
13:48
but there's just not a public awareness
of what's happening.
of what's happening.
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816689
3062
però el públic no sap
el que està passant.
el que està passant.
13:51
TR: Isn't it guaranteed in prison
that you have right to council
that you have right to council
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3040
TR: Els presos no tenen dret a un advocat
13:54
or access to council?
241
822839
1541
o accés a un advocat?
13:56
WP: There's a tendency in our culture
242
824404
1782
WP: Normalment a la nostra cultura
13:58
to see when people have been
convicted of a crime,
convicted of a crime,
243
826210
3110
creiem que si una persona
ha estat condemnada per un crim,
ha estat condemnada per un crim,
14:01
no matter if that charge
was bogus or legitimate,
was bogus or legitimate,
244
829344
2358
sense importar si el crim és veritat o no,
14:03
that whatever happens to them
after that is warranted.
after that is warranted.
245
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2966
el que li passi després està justificat.
14:06
And I think that's a really damaging
and dangerous narrative that we have,
and dangerous narrative that we have,
246
834716
3494
I això crec que és
molt perjudicial i perillós,
molt perjudicial i perillós,
14:10
that allows these types
of things to happen,
of things to happen,
247
838234
2460
i permet que
aquestes coses succeeixin,
aquestes coses succeeixin,
14:12
as the general public just
kind of turns a blind eye to it.
kind of turns a blind eye to it.
248
840718
3403
ja que la majoria del públic
els hi gira l'esquena.
els hi gira l'esquena.
14:16
TR: All those documents on screen
were all real documents, word for word,
were all real documents, word for word,
249
844145
4936
TR: Tots els documents de la pantalla
són reals, paraula per paraula,
són reals, paraula per paraula,
14:21
unchanged at all, right?
250
849105
2049
sense canvis, no?
14:23
WP: Absolutely. I've actually uploaded
all of them to my website.
all of them to my website.
251
851178
3336
WP: Completament. De fet
els he pujat tots a la meva web.
els he pujat tots a la meva web.
14:26
It's willpotter.com/CMU and it's
a footnoted version of the talk,
a footnoted version of the talk,
252
854538
4877
És willpotter.com/CMU i hi ha una versió
anotada de la xerrada
anotada de la xerrada
14:31
so you can see the documents for yourself
without the little snippets.
without the little snippets.
253
859439
3318
així podeu veure els documents
sense les retallades.
sense les retallades.
14:34
You can see the full version.
254
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1388
Els podeu veure sencers.
14:36
I relied overwhelmingly
on primary source documents
on primary source documents
255
864193
2945
He utilitzat principalment
documents originals
documents originals
14:39
or on primary interviews
with former and current prisoners,
with former and current prisoners,
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867162
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o entrevistes meves a presos
antics o actuals,
antics o actuals,
14:42
with people that are dealing
with this situation every day.
with this situation every day.
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a gent que continua
patint aquesta situació.
patint aquesta situació.
14:45
And like I said, I've been
there myself, as well.
there myself, as well.
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I com he dit,
jo també hi he estat allà.
jo també hi he estat allà.
14:47
TR: You're doing courageous work.
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TR: El teu treball és molt valent.
14:49
WP: Thank you very much. Thank you all.
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WP: Moltes gràcies, gràcies a tots.
14:51
(Applause)
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(Aplaudiments)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Will Potter - Investigative journalistAward-winning journalist and author, Will Potter focuses on the animal rights and environmental movements, and civil liberties in the post-9/11 era.
Why you should listen
Independent journalist and TED Fellow Will Potter is based in Washington, D.C.; his current work examines how whistleblowers and non-violent protesters are being treated as terrorists.
The author of Green Is The New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege, Potter has extensively documented how non-violent protest is slowly being criminalized. His reporting and commentary have been featured in the world's top media outlets, including the Washington Post, NPR, Rolling Stone, El Pais, and Le Monde. He has testified before the U.S. Congress about his reporting, as the only witness opposing the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act -- and he is a plaintiff in the first lawsuits challenging so-called "ag-gag" laws as unconstitutional.
Will has also lectured at many universities and public forums about his work, including Georgetown University, Harvard Law School, and the House of Democracy and Human Rights in Berlin. International speaking tours have included Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Spain, and he was the international guest lecturer for Australia's 2014 animal law lecture series.
His reporting has overturned criminal prosecutions, and it has both been praised in Congressional reports and monitored by the Counter-Terrorism Unit.
Will Potter | Speaker | TED.com