------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Aug. 7, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
New Cuba 5 campaign
A FIGHT TO WIN THE RIGHT FOR FAMILY VISITS
By Teresa Gutierrez
The National Committee to Free the Cuban 5 has launched an important campaign to win visiting rights for Olga Salanueva and Adriana Pérez, wives of René González and Gerardo Hernández, respectively.
Hernández and González, along with their comrades Fernando González, Ramón Labańino and Antonio Guerrero, were wrongfully imprisoned by the U.S. Justice Department in September 1998 for defending Cuba from terrorist attacks organized from the United States. The five were charged with espionage against the U.S., when in fact they were infiltrating the anti-Cuba, anti-Fidel Castro terrorist groups operating from southern Florida.
They were tried and convicted in May 2001 in Miami--the center for the anti-Castro right-wing terrorist groups. In December 2001 they were sentenced and sent to five federal prisons throughout this country to serve long prison terms-three for life terms.
Salanueva and Pérez have been denied entry visas by the U.S. three times and have been unable to visit their husbands.
Gloria La Riva, national coordinator of the committee, said, "For the families to win the right to visit their husbands will take the support of thousands of people, from the U.S. and around the world.
"This campaign," she continued, "has already gained tremendous momentum, not only in this country but around the world."
'WHEN WILL THERE BE JUSTICED?'
Olga Salanueva, wife of René González wrote: "I have requested a visa to visit René on three occasions. Three times I have been denied by the U.S. government authorities. In this manner, they have also deprived my little Ivette of any contact with her father.
"If every person in prison has the right to be visited by family members and should have their human rights and dignity respected, then why can't we be reunited even under these cruel conditions? Why do they keep a couple from holding hands as a sign of support, love and commitment?"
With the case of the Cuban Five, the Cuban people have once again learned the depths of the inhumane justice system in the U.S.
The wife of Gerardo Hernández, Adriana Pérez, stated: "The repeated denial of a visa has forced us into a major separation, to suffer the constant violation of human rights and international law. It increases our anxiety and the perpetual punishment of not being able to see each other.
"With almost 15 years of marriage, I ask myself: When will we be able to look into each others' eyes? Who has the right to violate international law? When will there be justice?"
Many agree with these women. The cam paign to win visas has attracted significant support here and around the world.
Ossie Davis, Ramsey Clark, Dolores Huerta, Jane Franklin, attorney Michael Smith and Bishop Thomas Gumbleton are some of the individuals who have signed on to the call to allow Salanueva and Pérez to enter the U.S.
In addition, the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, Bishop Gumbleton and the Rev. Lucius Walker have said that they would be part of a ministerial accompaniment for the wives.
Around the world, Cuba 5 solidarity committees have picked up the call for the visa campaign and are gathering signatures.
La Riva stated, "This is a winnable campaign. We are confident that we can mount the kind of struggle that is needed to make sure that Salanueva and Pérez visit their husbands."
To find out how you can help, contact the committee at (415) 821-6545 in San Francisco or (212) 633-6646 in New York. For more information or literature on the campaign, visit www.freethefive.org.
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