International Action to Shut Down Guantánamo

International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo / January 11th

Havana, January 10 (RHC)-- Thursday, January 11th, marks five years since the first hooded, shackled men were taken to the U.S. prison at Guantánamo -- located in southeastern Cuba and illegally occupied by the United States. Five years later, more than 400 men remain locked up without hope of release. On Thursday, thousands around the world will stand up on their behalf -- demanding justice and an end to their illegal incarceration.

January 11th has been declared "International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo." In concerted actions from Sydney and Amsterdam to New York and Paris -- and in more than 40 other cities around the world -- people will call for the immediate closing of the U.S.-run detention center.

In Washington, DC, there will be a news conference at the Supreme Court Thursday morning, followed by a procession of 400 hooded people wearing orange jumpsuits to represent all of those imprisoned. Once the march arrives at the U.S. Federal Court, some participants will read the names of the prisoners at Guantánamo. Their stories will be told and Habeas Corpus petitions read on their behalf into the criminal justice system.

As part of protest activities on Thursday, U.S. citizens are calling their congressional representatives to demand the repeal of the Military Commissions Act and restoration of Habeas Corpus. Activists say that they are also calling on the U.S. Congress to withhold funds for the proposed $125 million construction of new military courts at Guantánamo -- and clearly forbid torture and all other forms of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment by the military, the CIA, prison guards and civilian contractors.

In addition to the protests in the United States and other parts of the world, a 15-member delegation is in Guantánamo, outside of the U.S. naval base where the prison is located. The delegation to Cuba includes family members of detainees, former detainees, constitutional lawyers and U.S. peace activists including Cindy Sheehan and Retired Army Colonel Ann Wright.

For more information on Thursday's activities on the International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo, go to www.witnesstorture.org

ENDS

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