WASHINGTON - January 8 - To mark the seventh anniversary of the first detainees entering the U.S.-controlled detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Amnesty International and other social justice organizations will hold vigils and other events during the month of January calling for the closure of the facility as part of Amnesty International's 100 Days of Action. Amnesty International members and other activists will participate in vigils, demonstrations, readings and other events across the globe, including in Australia, Chile, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Turkey and Slovenia.

In the United States, events are scheduled around the country including in San Francisco, Miami, St. Louis, Boston, New York City and Washington, DC. Some of these activities will coincide with the inauguration of the new U.S. president. Amnesty International will use the events to build momentum for its action agenda. Amnesty International volunteers will gather signatures on its 100 Days Action petition urging the new administration to undertake concrete human rights reforms, including to announce details of the plan for the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay; to issue an executive order banning torture and other ill-treatment; and to ensure an independent commission is created to investigate abuses committed by the U.S. government in its war on terror.

The following is a partial list of the events and activities occurring in January:

January 9
St. Louis: Panel discussion on torture
The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd; 7:00 p.m.

January 10
Miami: Hip hop concert
P.S. 14, 28 NE 14th St.; 9:00 p.m.

January 11
Miami: Demonstration
Lincoln Road, South Beach area; 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

January 11
Washington, DC: Rally and fast
Dupont Circle park, Connecticut Ave, NW; 12:45 p.m.

January 13
New York: Vigil
Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street; 4:30 p.m.

January 14
Boston Vigil
Federal Building, downtown Boston; 4:00 p.m.

January 20
San Francisco 100 Days Action Kickoff at Live Simulcast of Inauguration
City Hall; 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

January 20
Washington, DC: 100 Days Action
Outside McPherson Square Metro; all day