Post date: Jan 11, 2013 10:14:31 PM
Human Rights activists march through Washington, D.C. demanding the closure of the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JANUARY 11, 2013) (REUTERS) - Scores of demonstrators gathered at the White House on Friday (January 11) to protest the 11th anniversary of the first prisoners arriving at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay.
The protesters, some wearing orange jumpsuits and hoods, called on President Barack Obama to honor his promise and close the facility.The group also urged Obama to either release the men still detained in Guantanamo or charge them and give them fair trial.
The chief prosecutor for the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal recommended on Wednesday (January 9) that the Pentagon drop a conspiracy charge against five prisoners accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
The prosecutor, Brigadier General Mark Martins, expressed doubts that the conspiracy charge would withstand legal appeal.
Only seven cases have been completed in the Guantanamo court and four of them involved only charges of conspiracy and material support.
Similar protests were held in Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and London.