NAFEESA SYEED
Associated Press
01/11/10 2:10 PM EST
Members of Witness Against Torture, which is calling on President Barack Obama to follow through with his pledge to close the U.S. prison in Cuba, then marched to downtown Washington. The group also opposes holding prisoners without charge or trial within the United States.
Half of the 40 demonstrators wore orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their heads as they marched with their hands behind their backs from the White House to downtown Washington.
They announced plans for a 12-day fast that will end on Jan. 22 — the original closing date for the prison ordered by Obama. But the government is still working to refurbish a prison in Illinois to hold some prisoners, put others on trial and send some abroad.
Art Laffin, 55, who lives in Washington, said he plans to fast the next 12 days, taking only liquids, to highlight how serious the situation is. "It's a very small act to take," he said. "The situation there is very serious." He said it's important that detainees in Guantanamo and the U.S. prison in Bagram, Afghanistan "know they are not forgotten and there are people in this country who deeply care about their plight."
http://witnesstorture.org/node/53I am fasting with them.
Follow the fast at:
http://www.witnesstorture.org/