International Support Grows

On March 10, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Miami will hold a hearing on the case of the five Cuban nationals imprisoned in the U.S. on charges of conspiracy to commit espionage. In truth, the five were working to thwart efforts of anti-Cuba terrorists. The attorneys for Ramon Labanino, Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez will have only three minutes for each of the defendants to present the 24 aspects of the appeal, which will be heard by a panel of three judges.

The defendants will not be present at the hearing. They are currently serving their sentences, from 15 years to two life sentences, in federal prisons in California, South Carolina, Illinois, Texas and Wisconsin. The U.S. Interest Section in Havana has denied the spouses of Rene Gonzalez and Geardo Hernandez the right to visit their jailed husbands. Their visit is considered ‘a threat to U.S. national security.’

The National Committee to Free The Five is calling for action in solidarity with the prisoners. Committees to Free the Five have been organized in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Germany, England, Italy, Spain, Australia, India, Congo, Argentina, Mexico and Nicaragua.

In a statement dated Dec. 23, 2003 the Cuban National Assembly expressed its appreciation for the support from parliamentary representatives around the world, including the Duma of the Russian Federation and the Mexican Chamber of Deputies.

The National Assembly of the People’s Power of the Republic of Cuba is calling on U.S. legislators and men and women of good will to join with a growing international solidarity movement to demand freedom for the Cuban Five. During the recent celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, President Fidel Castro sent special congratulations and praised the exemplary behavior of the five Cuban heroes.

For updates on the case in English and Spanish, please go to: www.antiterroristas.cu

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