Join the April Actions in Washington DC for the Cuban 5
After the call went out for “5 days for the Cuban 5 in Washington DC” from the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5, a large number of friends responded enthusiastically to support the actions in Washington from April 17 – 21. From several U.S. cities as well as Canada, Europe and Latin America, advocates will travel to Washington to participate in the activities in support of the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters unjustly imprisoned in the United States.
Well-known personalities and organizations from the U.S. and abroad have sent their endorsements to support the 5 days, including intellectuals, professors, religious personalities, trade unionists, actors, artists and activists. Individual endorsers include Noam Chomsky, Danny Glover, Mike Farrell, Pete Seeger, Angela Davis, Tony Woodley, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor of Richmond, CA, Catholic Priest Geoffrey Bottoms and many others. Organizations include the National Lawyers Guild, William Velazquez Institute, Alliance for Global Justice, School of the Americas Watch, National Network on Cuba, Center for Constitutional Rights and many others (SEE ENDORSERS LIST IN PROGRESS).
JOIN THIS HISTORIC 5 DAYS OF SOLIDARITY AND PROTEST TO DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE FREEDOM OF GERARDO, RAMON, ANTONIO, FERNANDO AND RENE
THERE IS STILL TIME TO SUPPORT THE 5 DAYS FOR THE CUBAN 5 TO TAKE THE CASE OF THE FIVE TO THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES
• If you are interested in participating or would like to add your organization to the list of endorsers write to info@thecuban5.org
• If you would like to volunteer to do postering or other tasks please write to info@thecuban5.org and let us know when you will be available to come to DC.
• If it is not possible for you to travel to Washington DC and you are able to make a donation, please do so by going to DONATE.
We urgently need your support so that these important days in support of justice and human rights can be successful.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FROM APRIL 17 TO 21
Tuesday, April 17
• All day of lobbying on Capitol Hill
Wednesday, April 18
• Lobby activities continue with distribution of information to elected officials.
• Afternoon Public Event (Time and place TBA) featuring Canadian author Stephen Kimber, speaking on his most recent book, “What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five”.
• 7pm: Screening of the documentary “Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up, Nyumburu Cultural Center at University of Maryland, with the participation of invited guest Miguel Barnet, President of the National Association of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC)
Thursday April 19
• Morning: setting up outreach tables in strategic points around Washington D.C.
• 6:00 pm, Community Event in Takoma Park to launch a new committee in support of the Cuban 5. Local elected officials will be invited. Distribution of information and showing of the new documentary “Esencias” about the historic tour of La Colmenita in the U.S. in October 2011.
• 7pm: Screening of the documentary “Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up,” Blackburn Auditorium at Howard University, featuring Professor Piero Gleijeses, author of Conflicting Mission: Havana, Washington and Cuba 1959-1976.
Friday, April 20
“OBAMA GIVE ME FIVE”
• Public Event, Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Road, NW. Beginning at 6 pm with the traveling exhibit, Humor From My Pen, the political cartoons of Gerardo Hernandez. Meeting begins at 7pm with topics including; 1) Lift the blockade of Cuba 2) End the Travel Ban 3) Free the Cuban Five, 4) Remove Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism and 5) Return Guantanamo to Cuba.
Invited Keynote Speaker: Father Miguel d’Escoto, President of the United Nations General Assembly from September 2008 to September 2009, former Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Relations, Catholic Priest. Also Wayne Smith, Salim Lamrani, Mavis Anderson, James Early, Jose Pertierra, Saul Landau, and others. Poetry readings by invited guest Nancy Morejón and Abayomi Huria. U.S. and International guests: Cindy Sheehan, Norman Paech (Germany) Arnold August (Quebec), Stephen Kimber and Brian Gordon Sinclair (Canada) Katrien Demynck (Belgium), Salim Lamrani (France), Invited Ambassadors of ALBA’s countries
Saturday 21 April
• 10 am, meeting with leaders of different religious denominations (Place TBA)
• 1 pm picket/rally at the White House, people will be coming from DC and cities all over the country including 5 Buses, representing each of the 5 heroes, from New York City that will travel to DC under the slogan “Freedom ride for the Cuban 5”.
We are urging everyone to bring their signs and banners to send a strong message to President Obama.
• 4 pm, Closing Event, Bolivarian Salon of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 2443 Massachusetts Ave, N.W., Keynote Speaker Cindy Sheehan. Presentations by DC children’s theater group: “The greatest weapon of Cuba, a tribute to Cuban doctors”, directed by Obi Egbuna Jr. and “Hemingway on Stage”: Brian Gordon Sinclair, Artistic Director.
In addition to activities planned, organizers will place ads in local newspapers and posters with the slogan Obama Give me Five will be placed across the city of Washington. Also audiences from Washington DC and surrounding areas will hear about the Cuban 5 and existing obstacles to the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba on local radio stations.
HELP MAKE THE 5 DAYS FOR THE CUBAN 5 A MEMORABLE WEEK OF ACTION IN THIS STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE
International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5
For more information visti: