‘Free ALL the Cuban Five!’

On Nov. 5, the auditorium at the Service Employees union Local 1199 building in New York filled with the call to free the Cuban Five at a public event corresponding with a meeting of the National Network on Cuba. The purpose of the meeting and the spirit of those participating were expressed in a message read by Nancy Cabrera from Casa de las Américas written by Ramón Labañino on behalf of the Cuban Five — Labañino, Gerardo Hernández, Fernando González, Antonio Guerrero, René González — especially for this gathering.

A great but incomplete joy was felt when seeing recently released brother René González in the arms of his daughters, and hearing his words to the Cuban people while still being forced to remain in the U.S. against his will and reason.

“We are not naïve. These more than 13 years of legal struggle have shown time and again that this process is absolutely political and that the decisions handed down come and are dealt from higher levels. Because of all this, the fact that we are gathered here today in this space is so important for all of us. It is time to mobilize ourselves to the maximum, to demonstrate, to protest, to write, to make calls, to publish and in this way to make the truth that we defend count, so that truth and real justice is served.

“In the same way that today in so many parts of the world the ‘indignados’ are mobilized against all the outrages and exploitation, so should we. And we know that in this solidarity we can uphold freedom. We are optimistic because we are confident in the eternal power of our people and the beautiful truth that we defend. We are sure that one day soon we will all be united, defending other just causes, and demanding freedom for other sisters and brothers that are in similar circumstances.”

The statement addressed the extraordinary punishment for Gerardo Hernández, who is suffering two life sentences and the denial of any visitation from his spouse, Adriana Pérez; the current habeas corpus appeals in process; and the extreme measures and expense by the U.S. government to oppress and deport immigrant workers, tearing their families apart.

Speakers included Esperanza Luzbert from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP); the Rev. Luis Barrios, newly appointed co-executive director of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization/Pastors for Peace; Thenjiwe McHarris, Amnesty International northeast field organizer; attorney Michael Tarif Warren, who introduced Miami attorney Richard Klugh, an original and appellate member of the Cuban Five legal defense team; Gloria LaRiva, National Committee to Free the Cuban Five; and Alicia Jrapko, International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five.