Campaign to Free the Five Goes on the Road
The Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba carries the Five's struggle to 120 cities across the U.S.
by Alison Bodine
Caravanista and caravan route spokesperson
June 11, 2008
 Since the struggle to Free the Five began, it has always been an important component of the work of the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba. This year will be no different. As the Pastors for Peace departs later this month for the 19th Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba we will continue to educate people about their case in every city we visit.
In light of the recent negative decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, this outreach is even more necessary. Like the US Blockade against Cuba, the case of the Cuban 5 has faced a continuous media blackout and misrepresentation. It is the work of the Caravan and other people organizing for their freedom that will bring the case of these 5 anti-terrorist fighters into the home of people in the US, and ultimately bring them justice.
As the Caravan travel through the US and Canada there will be presentations given in churches, community centers and even parks about the Caravan, the U.S. Blockade and the Cuban Five. Some events will also feature a showing of the film “Mission Against Terror,” which documents the case of the Five and the Cuban people’s fight against U.S .terrorism that is planned and financed from US soil.
Also, keep your eyes out on highways and roads across North America, because five of the buses driving aid and Caravanistas on their way to the U.S.-Mexico border are dedicated to the Cuban Five. These buses will be painted in dedication to Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Rene González, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González and then donated to Cuba.
The Interreligous Foundation for Community Organizing (IFCO)/ Pastors for Peace is a member of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five. Promotional materials and petitions about the Five will be available at every event table, and we will also have postcards for people to send to Condoleezza Rice demanding visiting rights for the families of the Five.
The Pastors for Peace Caravan invites you to join us on the road, at events, or all the way to Cuba to spread the cause of the Cuban Five. For more information about the Pastors for Peace Caravan please visit www.pastorsforpeace.org. A full schedule of cities is available on the website, event details to come soon! |
