U.S. September of Solidarity with Cuban Five

Washington, Jul 27. – U.S. solidarity organizations will devote the month of September to actions promoting the cause of the five anti-terrorist Cuban fighters unjustly held in U.S. prisons.

The announcement was made during an emotional Cuba solidarity event in New York celebrating the 57th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison.

Held at the Martin Luther Jr. Center in New York and organized by the Casa de las Americas group in that city and the July 26th Solidarity Coalition, the event was attended by nearly 200 people.

In a speech at the event, Cuban's ambassador to the United Nations, Rodolfo Benitez Verson, highlighted the significance of the heroic deed at a time when the Cuban people faced a bloody dictatorship, and he listed the Revolution's achievements in education, culture, sports and sciences.

Fifty-seven years is a short period in the life of a people, he said, but enough to affirm that the 26th of July marked the beginning of a new era in Cuban history.

The Cuban diplomat referred to the solidarity expressed through the years by the Cuban Revolution. "We have not given what we have in excess, but have shared what we have," he stated.

He referred to the case of Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, internationally known as the Cuban Five, who for the last 12 years have been serving unjust prison sentences in the United States.

Benitez Verson extolled their spirit of resistance, as well as the selfless support and solidarity from friends who are helping to spread the truth about their case.

Despite a sentence reduction for Antonio, Ramon and Fernando in late 2009 and the transfer of Ramon and Antonio to low-security prisons in 2010, the battle must go on, he stated.

The goal must be to make the demand for their release so strong within the United States and abroad that the U.S. government will have no option but free them and allow them to return home, the Cuban ambassador said.

Benitez also referred to the economic war waged by the United States against Cuba for fifty years, causing over $751 million in damages.

He said that his country does not want confrontation or war, but it is important that those who encourage pressure and blackmail against Cuba know that its people are ready to defend their Revolution at any cost.(Prensa Latina)