Former U.S. Army Muslim Chaplain to Speak About Civil Liberties

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Former U.S. Army Muslim Chaplain to Speak About Civil Liberties

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2006) − James Yee is a third-generation Chinese American, a graduate of West Point, a U.S. Army veteran, a devout Muslim and the recipient of two Army Commendation medals. His unusual combination of life experiences have led him to serve in the first Gulf War, visit Syria to learn the Arabic language and Islamic sciences, serve as a U.S. Army Chaplain working with detainees at Guantanamo Bay, andlive through a period of military imprisonment for suspected spying, ultimately followed by having his name cleared. Now he brings his story and observations to the University of Kentucky as he delivers a talk, "An Army Muslim Chaplain's Struggle for Justice: Civil Liberties and Guantanamo Bay,"at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the auditorium of William T. Young Library. An open reception and book signing will follow his talk.

"James Yee is an American and a Muslim, two parts of his identity which have fed his deep faith in tolerance and diversity," said Andy Doolen, UK assistant professor of American Literature and American Studies. "He preached these values at Guantanamo until the U.S. military secretly arrested him for treason, locked him away in solitary confinement, and tried to destroy his family. His detention is one of the most shameful episodes in the “war on terror,” which makes his story, and his fervent belief in democracy, even more remarkable. I can’t think of any American who can speak with as much authority about war's impact on democracy and human rights," Doolen said.

While serving at Guantanamo Bay as a Chaplain in 2003, Yee was imprisoned for 76 days in a naval brig, falsely accused of spying, espionage and aiding alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners. After an investigation, all criminal charges were dropped and Yee was reinstated to full duty. Upon his resignation he received an Honorable Discharge and the second of his two Army Commendation medals.

"I do not think the American people realize how much of a black mark Guantanamo Bay will be on the history of the United States, nor do I think the public fully understands how our civil liberties have been seriously eroded after 9-11," said Yee.

Yee has appeared in the national and international media discussing his story and his book "For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire," available from publisher PublicAffairs.

Yee's visit to campus is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School, American Studies, Russian and Eastern Studies, and African-American Studies.

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