RedCeltic
7th January 2002, 19:43
CUBA HONORS ANTI-TERRORIST HEROES:
LAST OF MIAMI 5 SENTENCED TO LIFE
By Gloria La Riva
Miami
Cuba's National Assembly has designated 2002 as the "Year of
the Heroes who are Prisoners of the Empire." This honors
five Cuban patriots recently sentenced in Miami to long
prison terms after being railroaded by the U.S. government.
Since 1959, each year of the Revolution has been given a
special title to recognize an accomplishment or goal of the
country. In recognition of their sacrifice to defend the
Revolution and their people, the five patriots were also
granted the Order of Hero of the Republic of Cuba by the
parliamentary meeting of over 500 national delegates.
The five--Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino,
Fernando Gonzalez and Antonio Guerrero--received sentences
ranging from 15 years to life on charges of espionage,
murder conspiracy and other outrageous claims after a seven-
month U.S. federal trial that ended in June.
The five had been working to stop violent acts against Cuba
by right-wing, anti-Cuba terrorists who operate with
impunity in the U.S. The U.S. government, through the CIA,
has funded and backed these reactionary organizations as a
weapon against the Cuban Revolution.
Rather than prosecute the terrorists, the U.S. government--
in a campaign spearheaded by the FBI--targeted the Cuban
patriots.
Cuba, beleaguered by 43 years of blockade, invasion and
sabotage, is resolved not only to honor the sacrifice of
these five patriots, but also to free them.
Cuban President Fidel Castro made a special address to the
Assembly, outlining this unfolding struggle. He assured all
present that Cuba is sworn to the liberation of the five. He
said, "I repeat, reiterate and emphasize, they will return."
Fidel met relatives of the five at the airport on Dec. 30 on
their return from Miami, where they had stayed for three
weeks in order to visit their loved ones in prison.
The mothers of the five were presented the Order of Mariana
Grajales for their courageous stance. Grajales was the
mother of the great Cuban revolutionary Antonio Maceo. While
in Miami the mothers had been constantly attacked
politically by right-wing, Spanish-language media that have
carried out an endless campaign of slander against the Cuban
Revolution and its supporters for more than 40 years.
The wives of the men were presented with the Order of Ana
Betancourt--another Cuban hero.
POSITIVE IN THE FACE OF NEGATIVISM
On Dec. 27, Antonio Guerrero was the last of the five to be
sentenced. In a small courtroom filled with his family and
supporters, Guerrero gave an eloquent speech dedicated to
the defense of his people from the Miami right wing. With
poise and in a calm manner, he declared himself a fighter
for peace and defender of the Cuba he loves.
Guerrero has become a poet while in prison and his writings
have been published. His companion, Maggie Becker, appearing
as a character witness and family member, read one of
Guerrero's poems to the court.
Defense lawyer Jack Blumenfeld spoke of his admiration for
"Tony," calling Guerrero a patriot. "He loves his homeland.
Patria (homeland) isn't a political term; he's talking about
the people of his country. He is the most positive person in
the face of negativism that I've ever seen through the
plastic windows of the 12th floor dungeon of the Federal
Detention Center." Despite these testimonies, Judge Joan
Lenard sentenced Guerrero to life in prison.
Since August, the National Committee to Free the Five Cubans
Unjustly Held in U.S. Prison has worked to raise awareness
of this struggle. The committee has organized protests and
forums as part of a national campaign. Similar committees
operate in dozens of other countries.
To learn how to support the struggle of the Cuban patriots,
contact the National Committee. Phone (415) 821-6545, or e-
mail [email protected]
- END -
(Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to
copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but
changing it is not allowed. For more information contact
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail:
[email protected] For subscription info send message to:
[email protected] Web: http://www.workers.org)
LAST OF MIAMI 5 SENTENCED TO LIFE
By Gloria La Riva
Miami
Cuba's National Assembly has designated 2002 as the "Year of
the Heroes who are Prisoners of the Empire." This honors
five Cuban patriots recently sentenced in Miami to long
prison terms after being railroaded by the U.S. government.
Since 1959, each year of the Revolution has been given a
special title to recognize an accomplishment or goal of the
country. In recognition of their sacrifice to defend the
Revolution and their people, the five patriots were also
granted the Order of Hero of the Republic of Cuba by the
parliamentary meeting of over 500 national delegates.
The five--Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino,
Fernando Gonzalez and Antonio Guerrero--received sentences
ranging from 15 years to life on charges of espionage,
murder conspiracy and other outrageous claims after a seven-
month U.S. federal trial that ended in June.
The five had been working to stop violent acts against Cuba
by right-wing, anti-Cuba terrorists who operate with
impunity in the U.S. The U.S. government, through the CIA,
has funded and backed these reactionary organizations as a
weapon against the Cuban Revolution.
Rather than prosecute the terrorists, the U.S. government--
in a campaign spearheaded by the FBI--targeted the Cuban
patriots.
Cuba, beleaguered by 43 years of blockade, invasion and
sabotage, is resolved not only to honor the sacrifice of
these five patriots, but also to free them.
Cuban President Fidel Castro made a special address to the
Assembly, outlining this unfolding struggle. He assured all
present that Cuba is sworn to the liberation of the five. He
said, "I repeat, reiterate and emphasize, they will return."
Fidel met relatives of the five at the airport on Dec. 30 on
their return from Miami, where they had stayed for three
weeks in order to visit their loved ones in prison.
The mothers of the five were presented the Order of Mariana
Grajales for their courageous stance. Grajales was the
mother of the great Cuban revolutionary Antonio Maceo. While
in Miami the mothers had been constantly attacked
politically by right-wing, Spanish-language media that have
carried out an endless campaign of slander against the Cuban
Revolution and its supporters for more than 40 years.
The wives of the men were presented with the Order of Ana
Betancourt--another Cuban hero.
POSITIVE IN THE FACE OF NEGATIVISM
On Dec. 27, Antonio Guerrero was the last of the five to be
sentenced. In a small courtroom filled with his family and
supporters, Guerrero gave an eloquent speech dedicated to
the defense of his people from the Miami right wing. With
poise and in a calm manner, he declared himself a fighter
for peace and defender of the Cuba he loves.
Guerrero has become a poet while in prison and his writings
have been published. His companion, Maggie Becker, appearing
as a character witness and family member, read one of
Guerrero's poems to the court.
Defense lawyer Jack Blumenfeld spoke of his admiration for
"Tony," calling Guerrero a patriot. "He loves his homeland.
Patria (homeland) isn't a political term; he's talking about
the people of his country. He is the most positive person in
the face of negativism that I've ever seen through the
plastic windows of the 12th floor dungeon of the Federal
Detention Center." Despite these testimonies, Judge Joan
Lenard sentenced Guerrero to life in prison.
Since August, the National Committee to Free the Five Cubans
Unjustly Held in U.S. Prison has worked to raise awareness
of this struggle. The committee has organized protests and
forums as part of a national campaign. Similar committees
operate in dozens of other countries.
To learn how to support the struggle of the Cuban patriots,
contact the National Committee. Phone (415) 821-6545, or e-
mail [email protected]
- END -
(Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to
copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but
changing it is not allowed. For more information contact
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail:
[email protected] For subscription info send message to:
[email protected] Web: http://www.workers.org)