ROCHESTER, Mich., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Protesters in Michigan say housing Guantanamo Bay detainees at a maximum security prison in Standish would invite terrorist attacks.
An estimated 300 people gathered Monday night at a rally in nearby Rochester organized by the Michigan Coalition to stop Gitmo North, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.
Most of the 300 opposed a federal plan to close the prison camp in Cuba and move terrorist suspects to the Standish Maximum Correctional Facility, which is due to close Oct. 31 because of a lack of inmates. Leavenworth Federal Prison, in Kansas, also is under consideration as detainee housing.
Peter Leitner, a former U.S. Defense Department terrorism analyst, said the security threat outweighs any economic benefits for Michigan.
"If there are homegrown terror cells looking for a good cause, this will be a good cause for them," Leitner said.
Au Gres and Arenac County officials have passed resolutions supporting the transfer of the 200 or so detainees to Standish. The Standish City Council is to vote on a similar resolution Thursday, the Detroit Free Press reported.
