For immediate release         January 8, 2015

Local peace and justice groups are once again raising their voices to call for shutting down the U.S. prison complex at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A rally and march titled "Close Guantanamo: America's Shame for 13 Years" will take place on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 5 PM, at the SW corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW Broadway and Yamhill), in downtown Portland.

Most held at the facility have been denied access to legal help; many have been exposed to harsh conditions that have been described as torture, including the force feeding of hunger strikers. Many of these techniques were confirmed in the recent Senate report on post-9/11 CIA "interrogations."

While President Obama pledged to close the prison at the beginning of his first term, about 120 people are still there, and about half have been cleared for release but remain captive as the US finds places for them to relocate. Congress has repeatedly blocked funding to shut down the site, which has brought international condemnation upon the US, once considered by many as an example of democracy and the rule of law. This issue is of even more importance as the US seeks to normalize relations with Cuba.

Local groups organizing the Friday rally include the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition (PPRC), Veterans for Peace Chapter 72, Amnesty International Group 48 and Recruiter Watch PDX. PPRC has held weekly rallies since November of 2001 at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

For local information call Peace and Justice Works at 503-236-3065 or email Portland Peaceful Response Coalition at pprc@riseup.net.