------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 20, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
AS JUDGE TURNS DOWN APPEAL: CUBAN 5 CASE GETS WORLD ATTENTION By Gloria La Riva >From Porto Alegre, Brazil, to Los Angeles, the political struggle to win freedom for the five Cuban political prisoners in U.S. jails is gaining mo mentum as knowledge of their case spreads. The political campaign to raise mass support is more critical than ever, especially given the negative court decision passed down Feb. 10 in Miami federal district court. Federal Judge Joan Lenard denied a motion for a new trial filed by appeals lawyer Leonard Weinglass on behalf of the Cuban Five. Despite new evidence of the federal prosecutor's misconduct during the original trial--in arguing against a change of venue outside Miami-- Judge Lenard refused to grant even a hearing on Weinglass' motion. The next legal battle comes with appeals to be filed in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on April 7. The National Committee to Free the Cuban Five has called for people to mobilize for a public rally in Atlanta the weekend of April 5-7. On Feb. 10, a special reception in Beverly Hills for attorney Weinglass was attended by well-known filmmaker Haskell Wexler, Hollywood producer Robert Greenwald, State Sen. Kevin Murray, Tom Hayden and actor David Clemmon. Thousands of dollars were raised for the work of the national committee. Next on the committee's agenda is a full-page advertisement in the New York Times. Worldwide, over 100 committees are fighting for the freedom of the five. Many will demonstrate at U.S. embassies in their countries on April 7 to raise the level of awareness on this case. Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ram�n Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez had infiltrated fascist organizations like Alpha 66 and Omega 7 in Miami to stop their terrorist attacks directed against the island. These organizations have been trained, funded and encouraged by the U.S. government. SUPPORT FOR FIVE IN BRAZIL At the recent World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a Cuban delegation of over 200 representatives of labor unions, women, youths, cultural and other institutions spoke out in many workshops and forums to urge solidarity with the Cuban Five. It was an illustrious delegation, including Che Guevara's daughter Aleida Guevara March, Cuban Women's Fed e ration President Vilma Espin, Cul tur al Minister Abel Prieto, economist Orlando Martinez, Union of Communist Youth First Secretary Otto Rivero, little Eli�n Gonzalez' father Juan Miguel Gonzalez, and world boxing champion Teofilo Stevenson among its members. They spoke on the Cuban Revolution's social achievements and the need to defend those heroes engaged in the vital mission of protecting Cuba. Women family members and other supporters of the political prisoners held an impromptu action at a university to protest their imprisonment. When over 150 members of a Black Brazilian coalition marched into the same area to demand reparations and equality for the Black communities of Brazil, they joined in chanting: "Freedom for the five Cuban prisoners! Long Live Cuba!" U.S. actor Danny Glover, who met with the family members in Porto Alegre, said: "I pledge my support to the Cuban brothers. You can count on me now and in the future." - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
