Perry Rosenstein, president of the Puffin Foundation, far left, presented Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, with the Puffin/Nation Creative Citizenship Award on Dec. 10 at The Nation Institute Annual Dinner Gala at the Puck Building on Lafayette St. The award also came with a $100,000 check.
In his speech, Ratner said America is “at a tipping point” concerning the Constitution and civil liberties. C.C.R. was back before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month arguing on behalf of the right of habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.
C.C.R. is currently coordinating more than 600 lawyers working on behalf of Guantanamo detainees. Almost all of them are working pro bono and most are from major law firms.
Ratner said C.C.R. has also called for the indictment in Europe — through the concept of universal jurisdiction — of former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for war crimes, and will do the same for President Bush and Vice President Cheney, “if and when” they leave office.
In attendance were New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and former Public Advocate Mark Green, as well as tennis great John McEnroe and “Law & Order” actor Sam Waterston.
