For immediate release         January 9, 2020

January 11, 20120 marks 18 years since the opening of the US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Once again, local human rights, peace and justice organizations are planning a visibility action, rally and march on Friday, January 10 to mark the occasion with the theme "18 Years and 8 Convictions: Time to Shut Guantanamo. The action is an expanded Portland Peaceful Response Friday Rally for peace and justice, taking place from 4:30 PM* to 6:00 PM at the corner of SW Yamhill and Broadway, Pioneer Courthouse Square. Cosponsoring the event are the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group, Amnesty International Group 48 and CODEPINK.

The prison now holds just 40 people (from a height of nearly 800 at one point), and stands as a symbol of the United States' deteriorating respect for due process, human rights and the rule of law. Out of the hundreds of people imprisoned, only eight have ever been convicted. Others have grown old while being indefinitely detained, prompting the installation of wheelchair ramps rather than freeing the prisoners. In early 2018, President Trump reversed President Obama's policy directive that called to find a way to shut down Guantanamo.Local Portland groups join worldwide voices calling to Close Guantanamo Now!

PPRC's rallies began in November, 2001 shortly after the US war on Afghanistan began. The January 10 event marks the 950th consecutive week that PPRC has been at this corner protesting, rain or shine.

For more information contact Peace and Justice Works at (503) 236-3065 (call or text) or iraq@pjw.info.

*- PPRC rallies usually start at 5 PM but this event will begin at 4:30.