DETROIT— Former U.S. Congresswoman and 2008 Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney stopped in Detroit Aug. 27 for her 30 city tour which sheds light on the conditions of Libya. At the U-M Detroit Center in Detroit, McKinney discussed the U.S-NATO no-fly zone and airstrikes on the African nation.

With a group of journalists, McKinney went to Libya to witness firsthand the horrors of the country’s current condition and the negligence that she believes the U.S. must take responsibility for.

According to McKinney, for over five months Libya has been mercilessly bombed by NATO warplanes. A naval blockade has placed warships off the coast of the resource-rich country. 

“The people of Libya are fighting for their country.” McKinney told a packed house.  

Since March 11 the 54-member African Union has opposed foreign intervention in Libya and calls for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement to the war in Libya. These overtures by the AU were accepted by the Libyan government but rejected by NATO forces and their surrogates in Libya. 

“We do not stand by this war. We do not stand by any wars in general. The government does not represent our values,” McKinney added.