Townsville celebrates Guantanamo closure, qld, Amnesty International Australia

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Townsville celebrates Guantanamo closure

Published on 15/03/2009
Townsville

The AIA Townsville team celebrating © Townsville Bulletin

After three years of pacific protests calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, Townsville members of Amnesty International celebrated in early February the announcement of US President Barack Obama.

Since 2006, the group was conducting protests outside the office of local federal MP Peter Lindsay, dressed in orange, carrying matching banners and primarily asking for the definitive closure of Guantanamo prison.

Finally their calls were answered in January, when President Obama signed a document determining the end of the interrogations at Guantanamo and also its closure. The group made a last protest celebrating and giving him thanks for the decision.

Jenny Brown, the spokesperson of the group, said to the Townsville Bulletin they were happy with Obama’s decision and were planning new campaigns for this year.

"However there are still around 250 people in there and this is seven years on since it opened," Ms Brown said.

Three years ago the group conducted protests for a fair trial for David Hicks until he was released. After that, they continued meeting to campaign for the closure of Guantanamo.

Townsville’s Amnesty International members meet at the Thai International on Flinders Street East on the first Friday of every month from 6pm and new members are always welcome.