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Jan 30 2007 Picket Action  Organized by the Free the Cuban 5 Committee - Vancouver
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REPORT BACK
On January 30th, 2007 an energetic and loud picket, organized by the Free the Cuban 5 Committee Vancouver, opened a new year of struggle for the freedom of the 5 Cuban Heroes at the U.S. Consulate in downtown Vancouver. Over 35 people, representing different communities in Vancouver, gathered at the U.S. consulate to demand the immediate release of Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez who are illegally held in U.S. prison. After a warm welcoming by Noah Fine, the coordinator of the committee and the emcee of the picket, the picketers started the action with a series of chants in support of the 5. The first speaker was Phillipa – an Indigenous woman and social services worker in the Downtown Eastside. In her moving speech she outlined that the Cuban 5 represent all of us in struggle around the world against U.S. imperialism. Phillipa ended by saying, “Like Fidel, I will continue to fight until the last days of my life!” Following her speech the protesters picketed the sidewalk by the U.S. consulate, delivering a strong message of solidarity in their chants and in their signs. The next speaker was Jane Ivanova, Capilano College Free the Cuban 5 Working Group coordinator. She spoke about the hypocrisy of the government of the U.S., who is sheltering known and dangerous terrorists such as Louis Posada Carilles and Orlando Bosch, who are both known for their murderous terrorism against Cuban people. The next speaker was Guido Varela, a long-time Cuban 5 supporter from the Latin American community in Vancouver. He brought to everyone’s attention the great gains that Cuban people have made in spite of years of brutal attack by the U.S. and finished his speech with chants “Viva Cuba!”. After a few more rounds of energetic picketing, the protesters gathered for closing announcements and comments by the emcee. The picket was closed with chants calling out: “Free, free, free – free the Cuban 5!”. This protest was the first of 2007 in Vancouver demanding the freedom of the 5 innocent Cuban Heroes. In 2006 the Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver organized a protest every single month at the U.S. consulate. In 2007 the group in Vancouver will continue to protest every month, while internationally action, education, and protest is being waged to free the Cuban 5. |
