In a packed community center in Takoma Park Maryland, Latino activists and supporters launched a new committee dedicated to the freedom of the Cuban Five. The launching of the committee coincided with the “5 days for the
Cuban 5” campaign taking place in Washington DC this week. The occasion was marked by the participation of the head of the Cuban Interest Section, Jorge Bolaños. Also attending was Jose Pertierra, the attorney for the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in their quest for the extradition of terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.
A coinciding event in support of the freedom for the Cuban 5 was taking place at Howard University at the same time. Nearly 100, primarily black students, watched the movie “Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up” that was followed by a discussion led by professor of US foreign policy Piero Gleijeses. The academic spoke on the role of Cuba in assisting the liberation of South Africa.
A number of activists who have converged on Washington DC to build the 5 days for the Cuban 5 spent the day passing out thousands of flyers and postcards advertising the upcoming events and introducing people to the case of the Cuban 5 in busy sections of the city. Others contacted the media encouraging them to attend the events and interview the participating guests.