March+to+US+Embassy+for+Cuban+5,+ANC,+SACP,+PCP

ANC MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 05-Oct-2006 13:56
=March to US Embassy 6 October 2006=

On Friday 6 October 2006, the broad coalition of South African organisations, which includes, the ANC, Cosatu, Friends of Cuba Society, SACP, SACC and SANCO, will march to the US Embassy in Tshwane.

Supporters of the Free the Cuban Five Campaign, will gather at in Eastwood Street, between Pretorius and Schoeman Streets from 10am, where they will march to the embassy at 12h00.

The march to the US Embassy is a culmination of the international campaign to highlight the plight of the Cuban Five and call for their immediate release, launched at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on 12 September 2006.

The five Cubans, René González, Ramón Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, and Gerardo Hernández, were working for the Cuban government to protect Cuba from invasion and terrorism organised, funded and launched from Miami.

We call on all South Africans who oppose terror and who support the rights of all peoples to peace and justice to become part of the global effort to break the silence about the plight of the Cuban Five.

We call on all South Africans to demonstrate their support for peace and justice by:


 * Signing a petition addressed to the US Attorney General demanding the immediate release of the Cuban Five.
 * Write letters to local and international newspapers, and participate in radio talk shows, stating your personal views on the imprisonment of the five.
 * Participate in the mass march on the US Embassy in Tshwane on 6 October, or in the marches taking place in other provinces to US consulates or representatives.
 * Contact fraternal organisations or groups in the US, outlining support for the Five. Copy all such correspondence to the US Attorney General. Distribute the "Free the Cuban Five" leaflets in your neighbourhood, educational institution or workplace.
 * Participate in the various seminars, round-table discussions and other events planned in your area.
 * Write letters to the Cuban Five expressing support and solidarity.

Friends of Cuba Society (FOCUS) South African Council of Churches (SACC) African National Congress (ANC) South African Communist Party (SACP) Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO)**
 * Issued by:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DONOVAN CLOETE ON 082 773 1013



=SACP STATEMENT ON THE MARCH TO DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE CUBAN FIVE=

The South African Communist Party extends a call to all our people to join the solidarity march led by the Friends of Cuba Society to demand the immediate release of the Cuban Five held in the United States.

The Five Cubans – Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Gerardo Hernandez had committed their lives protect the Cuban people against terrorist attacks to be launched, funded and organized form Miami in the US. Since their arrest their rights have been violated by the US government and have been denied a fair trial by an impartial jury.

The US government should be ashamed of its double standards when it comes to its commitment to fight terrorism.

We hereby call on our members, the South African people and the rest of the world to stand up and demand justice, defend the sovereignty of CUBA and its right to pursue socialism.

Details of the march are as follows:

Date: Friday, 06 October 2006 Time: 10h00 Venue: Eastwood Street, Between Pretorius and Schoeman Streets (PTA)

Issued by the SACP.

CONTACT:


 * Malesela Maleka**
 * SACP spokesperson**
 * Tel: 011 339 3621**
 * Fax: 011 339 4244**
 * Cell: 082 226 1802**
 * Email: malesela@sacp.org.za**



Partido Comunista Português, SECÇÃO INTERNACIONAL
=Declaration of solidarity with Cuba and the five Cuban patriots jailed in the USA=

It was eight years ago, on 12 September, that five Cuban patriots were jailed in the prisons of the United States of America. Antonio, Fernando, Gerardo, Ramon and René – sentenced to long prison terms resulting from a fake lawsuit orchestrated by the North American justice system – are accused of a “capital crime” in the eyes of the North American imperialism: of acting with courage and firmness to prevent their country from being a target of terrorist actions, planned and executed by organizations based in Miami, sponsored by the North American Administration. Their arbitrary imprisonment and detainment in high security prisons for eight years not only offends the most elementary sense of justice and humanity but also contrasts scandalously with the impunity traditionally enjoyed by the anti-Cuban conspiracy in that country, as witnessed by the current obstruction of justice as is the case of the terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.

This situation is so scandalous that the United Nations Task Group on arbitrary detentions considered illegal the trial of the five and demanded their release and even the Appeals Court of the 11th Atlanta Circuit unanimously decided, in May 2005, to overturn the trial.

That is why it is necessary to insist in denouncing the atmosphere of arbitrariness, coercion and blackmail that has characterized this case. These past eight years are stained by illegality, unacceptable punishments and disregard of human rights, as shown by the ban on visits by the wives of René Gonzalés and Gerardo Hernandés.

For these reasons, the Parties signing this declaration demand the immediate and unconditional release of the five Cuban patriots and the annulment of the shameful lawsuit underlying it.

They also demand an end to the 45 years of criminal policy of blockade by the United States against Cuba and express their firm rejection of State terrorism, to which imperialism increasingly resorts at the international level.

They express their confidence that the wide movement of solidarity with the Cuban patriots will continue to strengthen till the unconditional freedom of the five Cuban patriots and the restoration of justice.

They also express their firm solidarity to the Cuban people and their Revolution, while reaffirming the right of all the peoples of the World to freely choose their own destiny, without interferences and foreign pressures.

The march in demand of the release of the Cuban five, schedule to take place in Pretoria tomorrow is planned as follows:


 * Date: Friday, 06 Ocotber 2006

Time: 10h00

Venue: Eastwood Street, between Pretorius and Schoeman Streets (PTA)**

Please note: There will be transport for people in Pretoria to the meeting point –

For more info

CONTACT:
 * Sibusiso Mathenjwa, Tel: 011 3761205**
 * Or Carmen Smith, 082 553 7114.**

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