Tuesday Evening at El Cocal, a small restaurant on Vancouver’s Commercial Dr. was filled with the spirit of the Cuban revolution. Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba and the Free the Cuban 5 Committee Vancouver were joined by a range of organizations and individuals to celebrate the victory of the Cuban 5 in their battle for a new trial. (Read About it Here)The event was endorsed by Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA), Capilano Students Union, La Surda Latin American Collective, Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional – Vancouver (FMLN), Vancouver Bolivarian Circles, Mobilization Against War and Occupation and Vancouver City Councilor Tim Louis.

The program began with Free the Cuban 5 Committee Vancouver coordinator, Sophie Ziner speaking about the Aug 9th decision by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate the convictions and grant the Cuban 5 a new trial and change of venue. She also spoke about her recent experience on a trip to Cuba with the Pastors for Peace Caravan.

Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba Coordinator Tamara Hansen followed Sophie’s speech. Tamara spoke via telephone – straight from Cuba! She told the crowd at El Cocal about the impact of the victory for people of Cuba and encouraged us that this only means that we now need to step up the campaign and fight harder for the final victory.

Solidarity greetings were brought from Patty Moss of the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association, Claudio Ekdahl of La Surda Latin American Collective and John Haggerty Vancouver coordinator of the Hands off Venezuela Campaign.

Speeches were followed by an energetic and rousing set of favorites and originals performed by Tom Hawken of the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association, which got the crowd singing, clapping and cheering for more. Long time supporter and well-known performer Ramon Flores performed second, with beautiful Cuban and Venezuelan songs, which also brought the crowd into the performance.

The evening was filled with shouts of “Viva Cuba!” and all were left with a feeling of renewed energy, excitement and a drive to move forward, fill the streets and fight together for Cuba, for justice and for a better world!