Colloquium calls for intensified efforts to free the Five

_ Leonardo Pupo Pupo

HOLGUIN, (AIN).— Delegates from more than 50 countries present at the 7th International Conference to Free the Five and Oppose Terrorism called for intensifying efforts around the world in support of these five anti-terrorists.

In the final declaration approved at the event, which took place in the Cuban province of Holguín, more than 300 delegates advocated maintaining pressure on the U.S. government and expanding mobilizations in different sectors of the population.

The delegates' declaration called for the generalization and expansion of positive experiences with the participation of jurists, academics and students.

Also included in the document were plans to hold conferences with U.S. intellectuals who support the Five and the In the Defense of Humanity Network, and to screen documentaries about the case, and terrorist attacks on Cuba, in open spaces, parks and plazas.

The delegates called for the placement of banners and billboards about the Five in public areas, as well as demonstrations in front of the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Supreme Court and other places where significant numbers of people congregate.

The promotion of massive petition campaigns of letters to President Barack Obama from around the world and the involvement of religious organizations within and beyond the U.S, were other activities encouraged by those attending the Colloquium.

Every year since 2005, Holguín has hosted the event in solidarity with René González, Ramón Labañino, Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González, who were working in the U.S. to protect the security of the Cuban people.

The Five, as they are known internationally, were arrested in the United States in 1998 and given heavy sentences for monitoring anti-Cuban terrorist organizations operating from South Florida, such as the Cuban-American National Foundation, Brothers to the Rescue and Alpha 66.

After more than 13 years, four of the Five are still incarcerated, while René González has completed his prison sentence and is serving a three year probationary period of "supervised release" in the United States.

GRANMA