Five Days for the Cuban Five concludes

Diana Ferreiro

A videoconference was held June 10, between Washington and Havana as part of the closing events of the 3rd Five Days for the Cuban Five. Participating in the videoconference were decorated Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, René González and Fernando González and from the U.S. a panel including lawyer José Pertierra, Gayle McLaughten, Mayor of Richmond, California, prestigious intellectual Ignacio Ramonet and Alicia Jrapko, coordinator of the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five.

According to the panelists the event has demonstrated that the case of The Five is, for the first time, on the radar of U.S. public opinion, also citing a survey which revealed that 56 % of U.S. citizens support a change in policy from the U.S. government toward Cuba. 

Fernando González commented on the significance – at this time - of the Five Days for the Cuban Five in the fight to free Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino and Antonio Guerrero, currently incarcerated in U.S. prisons, highlighting the importance of organizing such events before the end of the year in order to increase political pressure on the government to free the prisoners.

Alicia Jrapko stated that representatives from almost 31 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, intellectuals, actors etc., participated in, and lent their support to, the event.

Five Days for the Cuban Five ends today in Washington.

GRANMA

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