FREE THE CUBAN FIVE NOW!

Report back from June 26 Picket to free the 5 Cuban Heroes

On June 26, 2007 over 30 people gathered at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver to participate in the monthly picket action to demand freedom for the 5 Cuban Heroes. This picket featured many exciting guest with their recent experiences from Cuba, with many energetic chants that reflected what the people here in Vancouver and also internationally felt about the case of the 5.

The first speaker was Jaehun Choi member of Imagination for International Solidarity, which is a Social Justice organization based in Seoul, Korea. Jaehun talked about his recent trip to Cuba, where he was amazed at how many aspects of Cuban society reflect the struggles of the Cuban 5. Jaehun spoke to many Cubans who feel that the 5 represent the struggle of each and every Cuban for they have exposed many terrorist attacks against Cuba preventing death and destruction.

The next speaker was Esteban Gonzalez Arteaga, organizer with Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC), who spoke about his participation in the International Youth Summit in Havana, Cuba to discuss the case of the 5. He said that 48 different nations had youth delegations sent to discuss and organize on the case of the Cuban 5 and had the privilege of listening to various Cuban youth speak about the role of young people in organizing in defence of the 5 Cuban Heroes.

Sophie Ziner, route coordinator and speaker with the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba spoke about the Pastors for Peace Caravan, and how by breaking through the US blockade to bring aid to Cuba, they have also broken the media blockade against Cuba. The caravan opens the possibility to educate people in the U.S. about the gains Cuba has made through their revolution. She also outlined how Cuba throughout the years has sent doctors around the world, to places like Pakistan and Venezuela as a true gesture of friendship and solidarity.

The picket was wrapped up by announcing that the Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver will be holding another monthly picket action next month, to demand the freedom for the 5 Cuban Heroes and the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles to Venezuela!