San Francisco welcomes Antonio Guerrero’s paintings

WASHINGTON.—A large number of San Francisco residents were present for the opening of the Endemic Butterflies of Cuba collection of paintings by Antonio Guerrero, one of the five Cuban anti-terrorists detained in the United States.

"You give us immense encouragement with your support and brother/sisterhood, after close to 15 years of unjust incarceration," affirmed Guerrero in a message to those participating in the opening, which took place March 29 in the Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics, in the heart of San Francisco’s Latino neighborhood.

The 25 watercolors reveal the sensitivity and humanity of Guerrero, who has developed his talents as a poet and artist in prison.

"Art liberates the mind but, more than anything, a man is free when, like the butterfly, he showers peace and goodness throughout the world; when goodness is everything that encloses his thought and action," he said, according to a note from the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5, received by Prensa Latina.

People of all ages, many of them Hispanic, expressed their shock upon learning for the first time of the injustice committed against Guerrero, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González and René González, the note emphasizes.

Saul Landau, the well known U.S. filmmaker, called on those present to demand that their Congressional representatives do something to change the country’s policy toward Cuba. He also encouraged those present to join the campaign for the return of the Five to their homeland. (PL)

GRANMA