Call for "Day After" Cuban Five Rally

Washington, Jan 14 (Prensa Latina) The US Committee for the Liberation of the Cuban Five summoned a new international day for their release on Monday, to take place after the decision of the Atlanta Appellate Court on the case.

   The organization's release called on all supporting the cause of the Cuban Five patriots imprisoned in the United States to hold press conferences, rally in front of government offices and embassies, and other activities.

   The US Committee for the Liberation of the Cuban Five also urged letters to be sent to US President George W. Bush and Attorney General Michael Mukasey demanding the release of Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, who were arrested in September 1998 when they were trying to protect Cuba from terrorist groups operating in Florida.

   They received sentences in an unfair and political trial ranging from 15 years to double life imprisonment.

   In an audience before a panel of three judges in August, the defense denounced the political manipulations of the case and refuted cause number 3 against Gerardo Hernandez, who was accused of conspiracy to commit murder, arguing that the evidence against Hernandez was legally insufficient.

   The US Committee said history has shown that political cases are won with popular support and by telling the truth, but predicted that if the Atlanta Appeals Court decides in favor of the prisoners, the government will probably appeal.

Prensa Latina 15-01-2005

An important message from the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five to supporters of the Cuban Five

Nov. 7, 2007

Dear Friends of the Cuban Five:

In recent months there has been a significant rise in news coverage of the Cuban Five case by major media. CNN's The Situation Room aired a 13-minute segment. BBC and Reuters conducted radio interviews with Gerardo Hernández. An important article appeared in The New York Times, National Public Radio broadcast a recent segment, and the Associated Press story on the Aug. 20 oral argument hearing was picked up by almost 100 U.S. daily newspapers. All of this coverage is easily accessible on this website.

The news reports have not only covered the legal case of the Five but the worldwide campaign to win their freedom as well. In fact, without the political support campaign, it is extremely doubtful that the case would be receiving the kind of attention it has. We believe the time is now for us to raise even higher the level of public awareness about the Five in the United States, and demand that the Bush administration end the unjust imprisonment and free them immediately. We can only hope to succeed with your support.

The case of the Cuban Five is at another critical juncture. While we now await the decision of the three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, after the Aug. 20 court hearing, it is clear that we cannot depend on the legal battle alone to win justice for the Five. History has shown that political cases are won with the people's support and by exposing the truth. The struggle of the Cuban Five is no exception.

The National Committee to Free the Cuban Five is launching an exciting new campaign for the next stage of the struggle, with two components:

1. A Billboard Campaign to raise public awareness and support for the Five in Washington DC, Los Angeles and other cities, with Billboards and Transit Shelter ads. The Billboard Campaign has the potential to bring the case to the attention of hundreds of thousands or millions of people. The scope of the campaign will depend on the funding.

2. An International and U.S. "Day After" mobilization and Week of Action immediately upon the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision. Regardless of the outcome of the court decision, it will be vital for all supporters of the Five, organizations and individuals, to respond the day after. We are calling for press conferences, emergency rallies in front of government offices in the U.S. or U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, and a massive letter-writing campaign to the President and Attorney General.

We do not know when the court decision will be issued, it could take weeks or months. But we do know that if all support organizations prepare NOW in a coordinated fashion, we can be at a maximum level of preparation and effect possible.

If the court decides favorably on any of the appeals issues, it is highly likely that the U.S. government would appeal to the full panel of 12 judges of the 11th Circuit. It is important that we oppose any government appeal against any victory for the Five, and make it known that the U.S. government is harboring terrorists like Luis Posada Carriles while legally persecuting the Cuban Five anti-terrorists.

If the court decides negatively, or with a mixed decision that does not fully grant them justice, it will be just as important to hold the same events on the Day After and Week of Action, to demand the Five's immediate freedom.

Many of you have contributed generously in the past to support the courageous struggle of the Cuban Five. The critical importance of their case rests not only in the terrible injustice done to the Five as individuals, but also the nearly half-century of U.S. war, blockade and terrorism against Cuba, a small neighboring country.

In peace and solidarity,

Freethefive.org 15-01-2008