Mainers Join Call To Close Guantánamo rallies streetside in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Augusta State Armory was the backdrop for the Mainers Be a part of Name to Shut Guantánamo rally and vigil Saturday, the place a number of Maine progressive teams congregated to protest the navy detention middle Guantánamo Bay, positioned on a U.S. naval base in Cuba.

Offered by Peace Motion Maine, the occasion was sponsored by native organizations together with Pax Christi Maine, Maine Veterans For Peace, PeaceWorks of Brunswick Maine, and extra.

The gang stood on the sidewalk in entrance of the Armory, holding indicators and banners for oncoming site visitors that communicated their message merely: Shut Guantánamo Bay.

The rally’s foundation for protesting the jail is because of authorities secrecy surrounding Guantánamo and the maltreatment of and lack of assets for prisoners.

Since being opened in 2002, Guantánamo Bay has held 779 prisoners. At present, 35 detainees are housed there. In response to Peace Motion Maine’s press launch, out of the 35 prisoners, “23 [are being] held indefinitely with out cost in violation of worldwide legal guidelines.” Whereas 20 out of those 23 folks have been authorised for launch, they’re nonetheless being held.

Frank Panopolous is a pro-Bono lawyer who has represented his consumer for 5 years, a detainee at the moment in Guantánamo Bay. Regardless of being cleared a 12 months in the past, after 14 years of imprisonment, he’s but to be launched.

“We’re right here to proceed to convey to mild that persons are nonetheless held there,” explains Panopolous. “It’s in opposition to the legislation to carry someone with out cost indefinitely. These folks haven’t seen their households, their wives, their kids for greater than a decade.”

Panopolous was one of many audio system featured on the rally, alongside spokespeople from Pax Christi Maine, ME Veterans For Peace, Smilin’ Bushes Disarmament Farm, and Peace Motion Maine. There was additionally an open mic obtainable for these with associated or comparable lived expertise to share their tales.

For extra info on Peace Motion Maine and their efforts in elevating consciousness for detainees in Guantánamo, discover them on their web site or Fb web page.

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