Vancouver Continues Struggle for Freedom of Cuban 5 Heroes
Report from April 5 Cuban 5 Picket Action in Vancouver, Canada

On April 5 the Free the Cuban 5 Committee – Vancouver returned to the U.S. Consulate for the 101st consecutive month to demand freedom for the 5 Cuban Heroes. This loud and high-energy action built off of the momentum of Vancouver’s 100th protest action, and the return of Fernando Gonzalez, one of the Cuban 5, to Cuba last month.

Before going to the U.S. Consulate, supporters of the Cuban 5 Heroes in Vancouver gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery for a day of outreach and information tabling. Despite the pouring rain, the table was busy with people stopping by to ask about the 5 men pictured on the banner and picket signs. After learning about the over 15 years of injustice that the Cuban 5 Heroes have faced for defending the people of Cuba against U.S.-backed terrorist actions, people readily signed postcards addressed to U.S. President Barack Obama. These postcards declare “Obama! Yes You Can!” and demand immediate freedom for Gerardo, Antonio and Ramón, the 3 Cuban Heroes that remain locked behind U.S. prison bars.

Following the tabling, people marched together from the Art Gallery to the U.S. Consulate. The loud chanting, marching and determined speeches continued for one hour, catching the attention of many of the people working on a filming crew close by, who came by to get more information and listen to the picket speakers. Among the speakers were David Whittlesey, a long-time fighter for social justice, Charles Boylan, a Co-op Radio host with the Communist party of Canada, Marxist-Leninist and Sarah Alwell, a member of the Free the Cuban 5 Committee – Vancouver coordinating committee who reported on the International Commission of Inquiry into the Case of the Cuban 5 which she attended on March 7-8 in London, England.

Also joining the 101st monthly protest action was Hap Bockelie from the Seattle-Cuba Friendship Committee, who read a new poem dedicated to the Cuban 5. As well, the picket received phone greetings from Alicia Jrapko, the coordinator of the International Committee to Free the Cuban 5, who invited Cuban 5 activists in Vancouver to join the 3rd annual ‘5 Days for the Cuban 5’ activities taking place in Washington DC this June. Tamara Hansen, the coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) closed off the picket action, emphasizing the dignity that the Cuban 5 have maintained throughout their imprisonment. She also invited people to attend the concert happening the next day with legendary Cuban musician Gerardo Alfonso, co- organized by VCSC, the Free the Cuban 5 Committee – Vancouver and the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association – Vancouver.

As protestors in Vancouver chanted “Hey Obama! Free the Cuban 5!” at the top of their lungs, they were also joined by supporters of the Cuban 5 thousands of kilometers away. April 5 was the 5th consecutive protest for the Cuban 5 Heroes held in front of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.

Now is the time to increase our efforts until Gerardo, Antonio and Ramon are free and at home in Cuba with their loved ones! Now is the time get involved in the campaign to, “FREE ALL 5 CUBAN HEROES NOW!”