Gitmo Prison
Protesters say Thanksgiving is a fitting time to remember the force-feeding of Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Fourteen human rights activists staged a hunger protest near the perimeter of the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba Thursday.

The demonstration aimed to draw renewed public attention to the force-feeding of detainees who have attempted their own hunger strikes in U.S. custody.

"The vigil highlights the continued forced-feeding of hunger striking prisoners, as well as the separation of the detained men from their families. The U.S. activists are fasting in solidarity with the prisoners," protest group Witness Against Torture said in a statement.

The group said the protest was in solidarity with the 47 detainees still being held in Guantanamo Bay despite being cleared for release. None have been charged with any crime, and a number of detainees have reportedly attempted hunger strikes in the past.

Solidarity protester Frida Berrigan told The Guardian newspaper the demonstration outside the base was a timely reminder of conditions faced by detainees over Thanksgiving.

"We also want to remind the American people what our state is doing in our name to these people and their families," Berrigan said.

Despite U.S. President Barack Obama vowing to close Guantanamo Bay, the controversial cite still holds 112 detainees.

Along with infuriating human rights activists, the base has also become a sticking point for U.S.-Cuban relations.

Cuba has argued the closure of the base is a prerequisite for the resumption of normal bilateral relations.


Comment: It never stops, at home and abroad. The U.S. prison and torture culture continues unabated:

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