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“These are not just 5 men! They represent millions of people around the world fighting for dignity in the face of U.S. terrorism!”

On Tuesday December 18, somewhere between rain and snow, over 25 people gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver to demand, “Free the Cuban 5 Now!” This protest was the 24th picket line organized by the Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver, and was also the two year anniversary since the monthly protest campaign began.

David Whittelesey, a Veteran of the Civil Rights Movement and organizer with the Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver opened by explaining how the 5 heroes’ job was in defense of the lives and sovereignty of the Cuban people. Andrew Barry, organizer with the Alison Bodine Defense Committee, then followed by outlining the case of Alison Bodine - a young American citizen who was banned from Canada for her Cuba solidarity and anti-war activities. He asked why the U.S. and Canadian governments are targeting those working hardest for dignity and social justice.

For more information on the case of Alison Bodine please visit: www.alisonbodine.blogspot.com.

After some energetic picketing the protesters gathered again to hear Nestor Ortega, a long time supporter of the Cuban 5 and long time activist who led chants demanding “Free, Free, Free… Free the Cuban 5!” Jesus Moreno, a Venezuelan international student at Simon Fraser University spoke next outlining the case of notorious Anti-Cuba terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.

The final speakers after another round of picketing were Sarah Alwell, Coordinator of the Free the Cuban 5 Committee at Capilano College, and Tamara Hansen, Coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) and executive member of the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC). Sarah ended her speech stating “These are not just 5 men! They represent millions of people around the world fighting for dignity in the face of U.S. terrorism!” Tamara spoke about the growing international movement in defense of the 5 and the important work that has been done in breaking the media’s silence about this most important case.

The protest was wrapped up by event MC and coordinator of the Free the Cuban 5 Committee- Vancouver, Noah Fine who finished by stating, “We will continue to protest here until all 5 of our Cuban brothers, heroes are free!”