ACLU marks anniversary of Gitmo opening

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. demonstrations were planned this week to mark the sixth anniversary of the arrival of inmates at the Guantanamo detention center and to demand its closing.

The American Civil Liberties Union said that it is sponsoring 20 events and has also asked people who want the detention center closed to wear orange on Friday.

"We believe people will turn out in force to express their opposition to the symbol and reality of Guantanamo," said Jameel Jaffer, director of the ACLU's National Security Project.

The ACLU events include demonstrations in Washington, Boston, Philadelphia and Boise, Idaho; protests in San Francisco and Tampa, Fla.; a discussion in Pittsburgh; a vigil in Raleigh, N.C., and a rally in St. Louis.

The Close Guantanamo campaign was announced in December.