Appeal to the Women of the World
News from Cuba | Thursday, 9 September 2010
The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) has just released a statement to mark the 12 anniversary of the arrest of the Miami Five:
Appeal to the Women of the World
Dear Sisters,
At a time when humanity is once again facing the horrors of a nuclear war, we must unite in the defence of life. It is for this reason that the Federation of Cuban Women is appealing to all women and men of good will to join the over four million women in Cuba who, together with their fellow countrymen, are demanding the freedom of five of their compatriots who are unjustly imprisoned in the United States.
This 12th September, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Lavañino, Fernando González, Antonio Guerrero and René González will have completed twelve years of cruel confinement. During the long period that these heroes have been suffering injustice, the US has been intent not only on punishing the five men for fighting against terrorism, but also their families, in particular Olga Salanueva and Adriana Pérez who have been denied the right to visit their husbands.
A wall of silence has been erected by the large transnational media companies to prevent the truth about this case being known. However, as Martí would say, “An idea of true justice hidden away in the depths of a cave is more powerful than a whole army.”
We are raising our voices to demand freedom now for these men, whose courage and exceptionally principled actions have been recognised by well-known figures throughout the world.
As givers of life, women appreciate the importance of the family and we know the power of solidarity. Let us unite with all those who are acting to increase public awareness of this case and to exert pressure in the face of public opinion in the US and the authorities in that country.
Sisters of the world, we are counting on you to ensure the return home of our sons, whom we consider to be heroes and loyal representatives of a country which stands for liberty and peace.
End injustice! Freedom now!
Federation of Cuban Women
