Message of Armando Hart to Participants at International Colloquium on the Five

_ Message of Armando Hart Davalos, President of the José Martí Cultural Society to participants at the 7th International Colloquium for the Release of the Five and against terrorism taking place in Holguin, Cuba.

Dear friends:

First of all, I give you the warmest of welcomes and the most infinite gratitude for having joined the call made by the ICAP in order to join strength and will in the struggle for the release of Gerardo, Antonio, Ramón and Fernando and the immediate return of Rene, our Cuban Five brothers prisoners of the empire.

They represent the highest and purest creation of Cuban culture over these 50 years of Revolution. They have shown to the world, in times like they have lived loyal to the Cuban tradition, that "justice is the sun of the moral world."

It is necessary also to highlight the example of their families, the dedication and sacrifice they have kept all this years of suffering. We must honor that attitude, because amidst the collapsing of capitalist civilization, the family becomes indispensable link in front of the chaos the world is facing.

All changes in history and social and political movements need guidance to achieve their goals. But we must revere the patriotism and fidelity to moral principles of the Revolution shown by the Five Heroes, who have become necessary symbols for our people and for honest men and women around the world, for their heroic resistance and great convictions.

The Marti Program Office, the José Martí Cultural Society and the Center for Marti Studies have joined the cause for the liberation of the Cuban Five and express their commitment to continue fighting under any circumstances and in all the stands as possible, for their unconditional return to the homeland.

We join the debates and statements made in this Colloquium on the Five and against terrorism, which will be another step forward in the difficult path of obtaining justice in the midst of the harshest and unfair conditions.

Renewing the eternal gratitude to Gerardo, Antonio, Ramon, Fernando and Rene for helping us all Cubans and all the people of the world, including the U.S., with their sacrifice and decency.

They are more modern and living expression of "the usefulness of virtue" of which José Martí spoke about in his works.

Receive my appreciation and respect for joining in this struggle.

Ever onward to victory

Dr. Armando Hart Dávalos
Director of the Martí Program Office
President of the José Martí Cultural Society

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