Cindy Sheehan raises struggle to free Cuban Five

By Cheryl LaBash
Holguín, Cuba

The 7th International Colloquium for the freedom of the Cuban Five concluded in this eastern Cuban city on Nov. 19. Representatives from international committees that have mobilized parliaments, unions, Nobel laureates and millions over the past 13 years of unjust U.S. incarceration of these five heroic Cuban men planned the next phase in a week of events.

Offering a moving pledge for renewed U.S. mobilization and confidence that such an effort will free them, noted U.S. anti-war and social justice activist, Cindy Sheehan, presented a treasured necklace given to her by her son Casey, who was slain in Iraq, to the mothers of the Cuban Five. The necklace will be returned to Sheehan when the Five return home to their mothers, families and the Cuban people, who steadfastly demand justice from the U.S. government and the Obama administration.

According to ahora.cu, “Mirtha Rodríguez, the mother of Antonio Guerrero, said that the gesture was full of love and hope, and demonstrates the great commitment of the U.S. mother and peace activist to carry on the struggle to raise awareness about the case of the Five in a country that has built a wall of silence around the case.”

The Cuban Five — Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, Antonio Guerrero and René González — gathered information on the Florida based paramilitary operations responsible for the deaths of more than 3,000 Cuban and other civilians, including the first midair bombing of a civilian aircraft and the bombing of tourist hotels. On Oct. 6, 1976, Cubana 455 exploded on takeoff from Barbados, killing all 73 people aboard.

Although René González was officially released from prison in October, he is required to serve an additional three years of supervised release in Florida. The U.S. government even continues to deny his spouse, Olga Salanueva, an entry visa to visit him during this time.

A post-conviction habeas corpus appeal has been filed for Hernández, who is still sentenced to two life terms plus 15 years and denied any visitation from his spouse, Adriana Pérez. Both Pérez and Salanueva participated in the Holguín Colloquium. Hernández’s appeal is based on admitted attorney misconduct and information that prominent journalists who poisoned the airwaves in Miami sensationalizing the trial were paid by the U.S. government for the same sort of coverage! Habeas appeals for Labañino, González and Guerrero also cite the government-employed journalists.

More than 300 delegates from 47 countries adopted a final declaration outlining new actions: a massive international letter campaign to U.S. President Barack Obama; mobilization of religious institutions in the U.S. and around the world to support the call for freedom for the Cuban Five; the adoption of June 8, 2012 — the anniversary of the unjust guilty verdict against the five men — as a day of protest and mobilization; and a call for young people to organize concerts from Sept. 12 to Oct. 6, the Days of the Victims of State Terrorism, to raise awareness about the case of the Five.