Rainbow Solidarity for Cuban Five forms broad political arc

Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban Five—initiated by U.S.-based lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other activists who are oppressed based on their sexuality, gender and/or sex—is widening its arc across this continent and around the world.

The five political prisoners are serving long sentences behind bars in federal penitentiaries in this country for the “crime” of trying to stop CIA-backed terrorists on U.S. soil from attacking Cuba.

Just two weeks after the first call went out on Jan. 7, Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban Five is shaping up to be a historic united front. It is cementing a broad political spectrum with the courage to demand: free the Five, defend Cuba’s right to self-determination and sovereignty, lift the blockade and stop U.S.-instigated terror attacks on the island nation.

Several hundred individuals and organizations have already signed on to the call, posted on the www.freethefiveny.org web site. Look for the rainbow.

Individuals and groups have responded from across the United States—southern Florida to the Pacific Northwest, San Diego to Maine.

International endorsements are already in from Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, Italy, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Austria, Germany, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Portugal and Spain.

With the help of volunteers from around the world, the introduction and call for Rainbow Solidarity to free the Cuban Five is posted online in Spanish, English, simplified and traditional Chinese, Farsi, Portuguese, Italian, French and German. More translations are in the works or planned, including a streaming video ASL (American Sign Language) translation.

Signers in recent days include the Center for the Study of Sexualities, National Central University, Taiwan, and its coordinator, Professor Josephine Ho; and New-York-based anti-imperialist activist Joo-Hyun Kang.

Louisville, Ky., filmmaker and activist Sonja de Vries—director of the documentary “Gay Cuba”—signed on to the call.

Stephen Whittle, professor of equalities law and the British organization Press for Change at the School of Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, endorsed. So did Barbara Findlay, co-chair of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Issues Section, BC Branch, Canadian Bar Association; and Tami Starlight and the Vancouver-based organization she is director of—Trans Action Canada.

Brigitte Oftner, coordinator of the Austrian “Free the Five” committee, and Simon McGuinness, secretary of the “Free the Miami Five Campaign, Ireland,” strengthened the call with their endorsements and those of their organizations.

Rainbow Solidarity organizers stress that to make this call even more powerful, your signature is needed. To become a part of Rainbow Solidarity to Free the Cuban Five, sign on at: www.freethefiveny.org/rainboweng.htm.

For ideas about how to deepen this initiative, email: [email protected]

For more information about the case of the Cuban Five, visit freethefiveny.org or freethefive.org.

E-mail: [email protected]