Audience sets up Free the Cuban 5 group

After viewing the film “The Trial” at its Baltimore premiere, an enthusiastic crowd unanimously decided to set up a local “Free the Cuban 5 Committee.” The film depicts the travesty of justice meted out to five Cuban heroes held in U.S. jails. Organizers had worried that the first snowstorm of the year would halt the meeting and dampen enthusiasm. Despite five inches of snow and icy conditions, the room was packed.

Supporters of the Cuban Five political prisoners pack a local Baltimore restaurant. WW photo: Sharon Black

Andre Powell, with the All Peoples Congress, thanked the sponsors, which included the Baltimore-Matanzas Sister City Association, Generations for Peace and Democracy, Howard County Friends of Central America, Maryland-Cuba Friendship Coalition, Ken Morgan—community activist and educator, Troops Out Now Coalition, Uhuru Movement, Workers World Party and the Venceremos Brigade.

Teresa Gutierrez, a featured speaker from the NYC Committee to Free the Cuban 5, answered questions from the floor explaining the case in detail. She also linked the issues in the case of the Cuban 5 case to other political prisoners in the U.S., including Mumia Abu-Jamal and the fight against racism and immigrant bashing at home.

Leslie Salgado from Howard County Friends of Central America stressed the need to fight against the ongoing U.S. war on Cuba, including the blockade, and Rosa Campos from the Bolivarian Circles gave an important update on Venezuela.

The film showing also commemorated the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Che Guevara. Steven Ceci, Baltimore Workers World Party representative, reported on Che’s significance for today in the fight against imperialism. Several of the youth activists at the meeting commented on the need to follow Che’s example and lessons.

The event was held Dec. 5 at the Yabba Pot, a local African-American restaurant that donated space. Everyone in the audience got a chance to participate by signing a large banner for the families of the Cuban 5 that will be sent to Cuba to show Baltimore’s support and solidarity.