http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/02/911_widow_in_bu.php

9/11 Widow in Buffalo Crash Was Also Guantanamo Protester

Roy Edroso February 13, 2009

Local papers are memorializing Beverly Eckert, the "9/11 widow" whose husband died in the south tower when the World Trade Center was hit by a terrorist attack in 2001, and who was killed in last night's air crash in Buffalo. The Times, Daily News and New York Post mention that she became a crusader for a 9/11 investigation, and her efforts helped get the Federal Commission of the attacks and their handling launched.

What none of them mention, though, is that Eckert was among a group of 9/11 family members who last year publicly challenged the military commissions at Guantanamo, and signed a statement saying "many of us do not believe these military commissions to be fair, in accordance with American values, or capable of achieving the justice that 9/11 family members and all Americans deserve."

Ironically, though he had called for an end to these commissions last month, President Obama recently said he was open to a "modified" commission system for Guantanamo detainees -- at a meeting with members of families of 9/11 victims, including Eckert.

Other media outlets and blogs have noted Eckert's opposition to the Guantanamo commissions. It's a little odd that our local papers haven't done so. Photo via The Cat's Dream.