"CUBAN 5" RELATIVES DEMAND JUSTICE

The "Cuban Five" - Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Gerardo Hernandez - were arrested in 1998 in Miami for allegedly spuing on the U.S. and have been in jain ever since.

The politically charged incident has has sparked international protests from groups who say the men were unlawfully sentenced. Elizabeth Palmeiro, Labanino's wife, and Irma Gonzalez, Rene Gonzalez's daughter, have been travelling across Canda this week to rally support for their campaign to demand a retrial and freedom for their relatives.

Both sat down with 24 hours yesterday to talk about their struggles, on their Vancouver stop at Capilano College.

"It has been very hard," said Palmeiro, whose husband is serving a life sentence in jail. "Their kids are growing up and their mothers are wondering if they'll ever see them. They all have thei [jail sentances] but they have another one: They are not allowed to see their families because we've had trouble getting visas."

Their youngest daughter is nine years old and doesnt know her father.

She said her husband wasn't spying on the U.S. and his imprisonment is an "injustice".

Because of mounting pressure and ongoing appeals, Gonzalez is hopeful she'll see her dad walk free one day.

"[Our lawyers] have proved the law has not been applied, but this is a political case," she said, holding back tears.

"They're hopeful justice will be done."

In the meantime, the women will continue rallying support internationally to put pressure on the U.S. government.

-Matt Kieltyka, 24 hours.