U.S. Actors and Artists Thank Former President Jimmy Carter for his call to Release the Cuban 5

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT:  Suzanne Thompson (310) 570-5419
[email protected]

Alicia Jrapko (510) 219-0092
[email protected]

 

DANNY GLOVER, SUSAN SARANDON, JACKSON BROWNE, MARTIN SHEEN, BONNIE RAITT, OLIVER STONE, CHRISSIE HYNDE, EDWARD ASNER, MIKE FARREL, GRAHAM NASH (PLUS OTHERS) THANK FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER FOR HIS CALL TO  RELEASE THE CUBAN 5 AND FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH CUBA   

(LOS ANGELES - April 11, 2011) After hearing former President Carter call for the release of the Cuban 5, twenty U.S. Actors and Artists United for the Freedom of the Cuban 5 sent a letter thanking him for demanding their release and for improved relations with Cuba. "I believe that there is no reason to keep the Cuban 5 imprisoned, there were doubts in the U.S. courts and also among human rights organizations in the world. Now, they have been in prison 12 years and I hope that in the near future they will be released to return home."- Former President Jimmy Carter.

The actors and artists who signed on to the letter include: Edward Asner, Co-Chair, Danny Glover, Co-Chair, Jackson Browne, James Cromwell, Mike Farrell, Richard Foos, Elliott Gould, Chrissie Hynde, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Sarandon, Pete Seeger, Martin Sheen, Betty & Stanley K. Sheinbaum, Andy Spahn, Oliver Stone, Esai Morales, Francisco Letelier and Haskell Wexler.

Carter, invited by Cuban President Raul Castro, on behalf of The Carter Center, is the first US President in 50 years to set foot on Cuban soil. He ended his three-day trip on March 30th by also calling to remove Cuba from the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, to lift the US blockade now having been imposed on Cuba for half a century, and to remove all restrictions imposed on its citizens regarding travel to Cuba. To watch the Press Conference visit www.thecuban5.org  

"Typically, President Carter moves forward with courage.  Just as typically, he will be criticized by those who lack it."  - Mike Farrell

The Cuban 5 are Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, Ramon Labanino Salazar, and Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert, serving over 12 years in US prisons for simply trying to protect their country from terrorism. 

The actors and artists also expressed their gratitude for Carter's visit and encouraged subsequent discussions with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

"Your wisdom and courage in calling for the release of the Cuban 5 provides support for President Obama to correct this injustice and issue Executive Clemency for the Cuban 5 so they can return to their families."  - Danny Glover, Co-Chair 

And certainly, until their release, the US government should grant regular visas in a timely manner, to their family members to visit them. 

LETTER FROM U.S. ACTORS AND ARTISTS SENT TO FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER

April 8, 2011

The Honorable Jimmy Carter
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307

Dear President Carter:  

We, Actors and Artists United for the Freedom of the Cuban 5, want to extend our deepest gratitude for your recent visit to Cuba, as well as our support for your statements promoting improved relations between our countries.  

Your call for the release of Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, Ramon Labanino Salazar, and Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert, known as the Cuban 5, and your willing-ness to visit with their family members in Cuba mean a great deal to all involved. We strongly agree that there is no reason to keep these men, who were simply trying to protect their country from terrorism, imprisoned any longer.   

And certainly, until their release, the US government should grant regular visas in a timely manner, to their family members to visit them. 

Your leadership honors the principles upon which our nation was founded. Your calls to remove Cuba from the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, to lift the US blockade now having been imposed on Cuba for half a century, and to remove all restrictions imposed on its citizens regarding travel to Cuba (a position supported by 67% of Americans and Cuban Americans), are fair, just and appropriate.

Further, we enthusiastically support you in having subsequent discussions with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and hope you will call for urgent action on their part to make right this unjust situation.

Again, we thank you and look forward to the possibility of improved relations and future visits to Cuba.

With respect, 

Edward Asner, Co-Chair  
Danny Glover, Co-Chair
Jackson Browne
James Cromwell
Mike Farrell
Richard Foos
Elliott Gould                                        
Chrissie Hynde
Francisco Letelier
Esai Morales                            
Graham Nash       
Bonnie Raitt                               
Susan Sarandon  
Pete Seeger                                
Martin Sheen 
Betty & Stanley K. Sheinbaum                                 
Andy Spahn 
Oliver Stone
Haskell Wexler             

International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5

To learn more about the case visit:  www.thecuban5.org