Approximately 110 people came together for the celebration of the 58th Anniversary of July 26th in Toronto.  This political and cultural event was organized by Toronto Forum on Cuba, Black Action Defense Committee and Asociación Cubanos en Toronto de Juan Gualberto Gómez. 

     Internet-based Radio Raíces Radicales broadcast the event live (we will post the audio of the event as soon as it becomes available) and a reporter from a major weekly magazine in Toronto was present to cover the event.

     After the spiritual Indigenous Opening Ceremony, conducted by Nana Esperanza (Maya Council - Akijab), Mabel Ernest (Quechua Nation) and Violeta, the Honourable Consul of Cuba in Toronto, Raúl Delgado Concepción, thanked the participants and spoke about the historical importance of the date in Cuba’s revolutionary process under the leadership of Fidel Castro.  The Honourable Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Martha Elena Pardo de Marquez, also greeted the audience and spoke of the importance of the relationship between Cuba and Venezuela and she emphasized the importance of ALBA.  Ann Martillo, the Honourable Consul General of Ecuador and Maria Jara, the Vice Consul of Ecuador, also participated in the program.

     We were very honoured to receive two messages of greetings for this celebration, one from Ramón Labañino on behalf of the Cuban Five and the other from Rafael Cancel Miranda, one of the main leaders in Puerto Rico´s struggle for independence.  See the messages on our website.

     Professor Keith Ellis gave an account of Cuban society’s achievements in the past year and Owen Leach and Charles Roach presented a special tribute honouring Dudley Laws, while Morteza Gorgzadeh presented a special tribute honouring Leonard Weinglass.

     Esteemed guests Arnold Itwaru, Carlos Angulo, Maria Elena Mesa Mejia, Natasha Ksonzek and Enrique Castro recited poetry in solidarity with Cuba and with the Cuban Five, while Charlie Bobus’ dub poetry and Pablo Terry & Sol de Cuba’s musical performances had the audience jamming.

     Thirteen-year old Skigh Johnson read a letter she wrote to Obama, questioning him about the injustice being done to the Cuban Five and asking for their release.

     In addition to bringing friends of Cuba together, the celebration also enjoyed a message by Lyn Adamson, one of the participants from the Canada boat to Gaza and asked the audience to help end the siege of Gaza carried out by the Zionist regime of Israel.  The same country that incessantly sides with the United States to maintain the genocidal blockade imposed against Cuba in 1961, just a short time after the triumph of the revolution in 1959.

     Friends of Cuba who joined us on this special occasion, represented various communities and, amongst them, the presentations of the Aztec Dance Ensemble and of Chango (from Jamaica), were particularly electrifying.  Please visit our gallery and see all the friends who joined in the celebration.

     A wide variety of educational materials on Cuba and on the Cuban Five were available for the audience and guests and everyone was reminded to come together for the upcoming September 12th anniversary of the incarceration of the Cuban Five, at which time, we hope to break the silence about their case in this major Canadian city once again.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to all the participating organizations, artists and volunteers, whose hard work made this, the most successful July 26th Anniversary we have ever had.

Morteza Gorgzadeh
Toronto Forum on Cuba
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WOW!  26 de Julio

Aproximadamente 110 personas se reunieron para la celebración del 58 Aniversario del 26 de Julio en Toronto. Este evento político y cultural fue organizado por Toronto Forum on Cuba, Black Action Defense Committee y la Asociación Cubanos en Toronto de Juan Gualberto Gómez.

     La Radio Raíces Radicales basada en internet, transmitió la actividad en vivo (subiremos el audio del evento a nuestro sitio apenas será disponible) y un periodista de una importante revista semanal en Toronto estuvo presente para cubrir el evento.

     Después la apertura espiritual de la Ceremonia Indígena llevada a cabo por Nana Esperanza (Consejo Maya - Akijab), Mabel Ernest (Nación Quechua) y Violeta, el Honorable Cónsul de Cuba en Toronto, Raúl Delgado Concepción, agradeció a los participantes y habló sobre la importancia histórica de la fecha del 26 de Julio en el proceso revolucionario Cubano bajo el liderazgo de Fidel Castro. La Honorable Cónsul General de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, Martha Elena Pardo de Márquez, también saludó al público y habló de la importancia de los lazos entre Cuba y Venezuela y destacó la importancia del ALBA.  Ann Martillo, la Honorable Cónsul General de Ecuador y María Jara, la Vice Cónsul de Ecuador, también participaron en el programa.     

     Nos sentimos muy honrados por los dos mensajes de saludos recibidos por esta celebración, uno de Ramón Labañino, por parte de los Cinco y el otro de Rafael Cancel Miranda, uno de los principales líderes en la lucha Independista de Puerto Rico.  Vean los mensajes en nuestro sitio web.

     El Profesor Keith Ellis dio un resumen sobre los logros de la sociedad cubana en el último año y Owen Leach con Charles Roach presentaron un tributo especial recordando a Dudley Laws, mientras que Morteza Gorgzadeh presentó un tributo especial recordando a Leonard Weinglass.

     Los estimados invitados Arnold Itwaru, Carlos Angulo, María Elena Mesa Mejía, Natasha Ksonzek y Enrique Castro recitaron poesías en solidaridad con Cuba y con los Cinco, mientras que la poesía musical de Charlie Bobus y la presentación musical de Pablo Terry & Sol de Cuba introdujeron el público a los ritmos del Caribe.     

     Skigh Johnson, quien tiene 13 años, leyó una carta que escribió a Obama, en que le preguntó sobre la injusticia que están pasando los Cinco Héroes y pidiendo sus liberaciones.

     Además de reunir amigos de Cuba, la celebración también aprovechó ofrecer la oportunidad de escuchar un mensaje de Lyn Adamson, una de las participantes en el barco Canadiense para Gaza y pidió al público de ayudar en terminar el asedio contra Gaza llevado a cabo por el régimen sionista de Israel. El mismo país que se ha quedado constantemente al lado de los Estados Unidos en mantener el bloqueo genocida impuesto contra Cuba en 1961, poco tiempo después del triunfo de la revolución en el 1959.

     Los amigos de Cuba que nos acompañaron en esta ocasión especial, representaban varias comunidades y, entre ellos, las presentaciones del Grupo de la Danza Azteca y de Chango (de Jamaica), fueron particularmente cautivadoras. Visiten nuestra galería para ver a todos los amigos de Cuba que asistieron a la celebración.

     Una amplia variedad de materiales educativos sobre Cuba y sobre los Cinco estaban disponibles y se acordó a todo el mundo de contar con que nos reuniremos el 12 de septiembre, fecha que marcará trece años desde el encarcelamiento de los Cinco Héroes, durante la cual esperamos romper el silencio sobre su caso otra vez, en esta ciudad Canadiense principal.

     Quisiéramos expresar nuestro profundo agradecimiento a todas las organizaciones participantes, artistas y voluntarios, cuyo trabajo ayudó en hacer de esta actividad, la celebración por el Aniversario del 26 de Julio, más exitosa que hemos realizado hasta ahora.

Morteza Gorgzadeh
Toronto Forum on Cuba

Dear Sisters and Brothers;

Salam Aleikum;

Please, see below a few photos from the rally commemorating the 63rd anniversary of Nakbah/Catastrophe held in Toronto on May 15th.

Hundreds, some 250, friends of Palestine and the Palestinian people/youth came together under a rainy sky to condemn the ongoing atrocities of the Zionist regime of Israel against the Palestinian people since the Nakbah of 1948.

The event was endorsed by:

·        Palestine House
·        Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
·        Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid
·        Students Against Israeli Apartheid
·        Independent Jewish Voices
·        Canada Boat for Gaza
·        Canadian Arab Federation and...
·        Palestinian Youth Network

The great majority of the participants and the speakers were young Arab/Palestinians/Muslims who didn't want to end the rally, which took place across from the Consulate of Israel in Toronto, where the supporters of Israel were out in almost a similar number!!!

The rally finished with music and chants of solidarity with the cause of the Palestinian people at the north end of Queen's Park where the provincial legislative assembly meets.

Insha' Allah that Palestine will be free.

Some of the chants at the rally:

Free Free Palestine
Harper Harper (referring to Canada's Prime Minister) you will see (Palestine will be Free)
From the river to the sea (Palestine will be free)
From Iraq to Palestine (Occupation is a crime)

Take care and have a nice day.
Brotherly,

Morteza Gorgzadeh
Participant/Toronto Forum on Cuba

A three-person delegation from Toronto Forum on Cuba took part in the 18th edition of the Romerías de Mayo festival of culture, this year dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Hermanos Saíz Association of young artists and to the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

Part of the festival’s program included Toronto Forum on Cuba’s segment on the subject of the case of the Cuban Five and the way it relates to culture, presented by Morteza Gorgzadeh, followed by Julian Ichim (from the Toronto Forum on Cuba delegation) who spoke on the issue of civil liberties being under attack in reference to the aftermath of the G20 protests in Toronto.  

Interviews broadcast on the Education Channel were conducted with Morteza Gorgzadeh and a report of the festival’s presentation was published on the Romerías de Mayo daily newspaper “La Luz”.

Copies of materials on the case of the Cuban Five and the booklet of Fidel's Reflections on Iran with one of Antonio Guerrero’s drawings as its title page were distributed during Toronto Forum on Cuba ’s festival presentation on the Cuban Five and Culture.

Joaquín Fernández Moreno



“La dignidad es estar justamente donde se es útil, es cada vez que te caes, volverte a parar” (Antonio Guerrero, octubre 2002)

Una mesa-diálogo de Memoria nuestra, en plenas Romerías de Mayo, ocuparon los activistas canadienses Juliam Ichim y Morteza Gorgzadeh para contribuir por cuantas vías sean posibles, a los esfuerzos internacionales por la excarcelación de cinco cubanos anti-terroristas presos actualmente en cárceles de Estados Unidos.

Sus acciones comenzaron a partir de 2005, para difundir las razones que asisten a René González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González y Antonio Guerrero para retornar libres a sus hogares, mantienen vínculos con otros Comités Nacionales por la causa de los cinco patriotas de la Isla, y abordan temas sobre la historia y cultura nacionales, aunque le suprimieron un primer sitio web dedicado a la solidaridad con Cuba.

“Promovemos pistas de hip hop y otras iniciativas por los Cinco, fui arrestado e interrogado por nuestro apoyo, nos enfrentó la fuerza pública. Existe una censura sobre los juicios celebrados a ellos, aunque a mí me levantaron los cargos. Por eso puedo ahora hablar, y desde noviembre pasado no dejo de hacerlo. La policía busca las maneras de adentrarse en el movimiento solidario, para ponernos a pelear entre nosotros. Mi novia y yo prácticamente no podemos comunicarnos, mediante una prohibición que acaba con las parejas y las familias”, expresa efusivamente Julian, apoyándose en un bastón.

“Hay que aprovechar las canciones, el arte la pintura, todo, para dar a conocer que existen cinco personas injustamente presas por proteger a su país del terrorismo. Cuba es un ejemplo para nosotros y el mundo, hasta para los indígenas en Canadá”, ratificaron los integrantes del Foro de Toronto.

Julian no cesa de hablar, escribe poemas, relata historias, muestra recortes, libros y periódicos, y cuenta cómo no dejaron viajar ahora a su prometida a Cuba, por condiciones inconstitucionales, con la cual aspiraba contraer matrimonio en las Romerías de Mayo, en Holguín. “Tendremos que escaparnos para hacerlo en otro momento”.

www.babrama.cult.cu

To Sabrina from the Combatant Bernardo Martinez Martinez

Dear sister:  from the Cuban Revolution’s Combatants’ Solidarity Committee 0701 “Rubén Noguera Casillo in Bayamo Granma, we would like to send our brothers a message of affection and of hope, filled with recognition and of bravery, since our work towards honouring their example and patriotism constitutes a record:  we have continued to carry out voluntary work towards the Revolution’s different projects throughout 8 years, accumulating 46,389 hours of work as a worthy contribution towards their unconditional release.

Men such as these deserve for our hours of rest to serve as battles for their return.  We admire them and today, more than ever, they live in our labour and defend our Homeland.

This group of 53 members will keep going forth, as with the next battles for freedom we will achieve victory.

“FOR FIDEL, RAUL AND THE REVOLUTION, LIFE AND THE HEART”.

WERE THERE THE POSSIBILITY TO CHANGE PLACES WITH OUR FIVE HEROES IN THIS STRUGGLE, WE WOULD BE WILLING AND READY TO TAKE THEIR PLACE, UNTIL JUSTICE AND THE FINAL DECISION SEE THE LIGHT.

WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, THE CUBAN REVOLUTION’S BAYAMO, GRANMA COMBATANTS’ SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE, WHICH CONTINUES FIGHTING IN THIS STRUGGLE.
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Para los Cinco del Comité de Solidaridad de los Combatientes de la Revolución Cubana 0701 'Rubén Noguera Casillo" de Bayamo Granma

Para Sabrina Johnson del Combatiente Bernardo Martinez Martinez:

Querida hermana: desde el Comité de Solidaridad de los Combatientes de la Revolución Cubana 0701 'Rubén Noguera Casillo" de Bayamo Granma, deseamos enviar a nuestros hermanos un mensaje de aliento y de esperanza, cargado de reconocimiento y de bravura, pues nuestra labor en función de honrar su ejemplo y patriotismo constituye un record: hemos permanecido laborando de forma voluntaria en las diferentes obras que construye la Revolución por  8 años, acumulando 46 389 horas de trabajo, como un digno regalo a su incondicional entrega. Hombres como ellos merecen que nuestras horas de descanso sigan constituyendo combates por su regreso. Los admiramos y viven hoy más que nunca en nuestras faenas y accionar ante la Defensa de la Patria. 

Este grupo de 53 miembros seguirá adelante, pues con las próximas batallas por LIBRAR lograremos la VICTORIA.

"POR FIDEL RAÚL Y LA REVOLUCIÓN LA VIDA Y EL CORAZÓN"

SI EXISTIERA LA POSIBILIDAD DE CAMBIAR DE POSICIÓN A NUESTROS CINCO HÉROES EN ESTE COMBATE,  ESTARÍAMOS DISPUESTOS A OCUPAR SU LUGAR,  HASTA QUE LA JUSTICIA Y LA  DECISIÓN FINAL VEAN LA LUZ.

DE TODO CORAZÓN, COMITÉ DE SOLIDARIDAD DE LOS COMBATIENTES DE LA REVOLUCIÓN CUBANA DE BAYAMO GRANMA QUE SIGUE EN COMBATE.

The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) of the south eastern Cuban province of Granma dedicated April’s fixed cultural activity “The Five will Return” to the 50th anniversary of the victory at Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs).

On this occasion, the activity enjoyed the presence of combatants who participated in this heroic victory in 1961, on the sands of Playa Girón, among them were:  Roberto Serguera, Paneque Eugenio Pérez, Juan Collado Rodríguez, José Antonio Almeida Castel, Angel Camejo Carmenate, Orlando Pérez Pérez and relatives of the young Mariano Tamayo who died during the invasion.

Foreign students representing 18 nationalities such as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Kenya, Grenada, Haiti, Barbados, Guinea, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and others, who received scholarships to study at two of the province’s universities were also present, also Sabrina Johnson, editor of Toronto Forum on Cuba, an organization in solidarity with Cuba and with the Cuban Five, and local students, artists and journalists.

The activity became a tribute to those who, in less than 72 hours, carried out the first major defeat of U.S. imperialism, through the cultural interpretations presented by trovadores, the Bayamo Professional Choir and the recital of the iconic poem “The little white shoes”, an allegorical rendition of the event by Jesús Orta Ruiz, Indio Naborí,.

Mario D. Momplaisir, from Haiti and representative of the University of Medical Sciences of Manzanillo’s Solidarity Brigade, stressed the significance of the victory at Playa Girón for Cuba and for the world.

He also pointed out that Cuba would have had a different fate, had it not been for the caliber of men and youth with the decisive and patriotic will, just like that of the Cuban Five Heroes, who fight to defend their people from imperialism’s entrails.

In this context, Humberto Dario Jane, from Mozambique and President of the University of Granma’s Solidarity Brigade, issued a call for global unity for the environment’s conservation and repudiated the atrocious attacks against Libya, a consequence of North America’s ambitions that have also left their mark in Africa and in Latin America (Honduras).

At the end, the combatants of Playa Girón offered their testimony of the events occurred in the Bay of Pigs invasion and the “Combatants of the Cuban Revolution with the Cuban Five Solidarity Committee” was formed.