Free the Cuba Five Billboard in LA Unveiled, February 1, 2008

Los Angeles—The Free The Cuban Five Billboard along the busy Hollywood Blvd. and Bronson St. was unveiled with a press conference attended by scores of solidarity activists last February 1, 2008.

Speakers at the press conference includes Jim Lafferty, Executive Director of the National Lawyers League-Los Angeles Chapter; Blasé Bonpane, Executive Director, Office of the Americas; Gloria La Riva, National Coordinator of Free the Cuba Five; Sheila Esguerra of ANSWER –LA and Arturo P.Garcia of the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP). Ian Thompson acted as the emcee.

Jim Lafertty pointed out that “: with the persecution of the Cuban Five, the United States is at the ebb of its unpopularity all throughout the world. To free the five will gain the nation its self-=respect and the respect of the world.”

Blasé Bonpane said: Cuba has been terrorized by the US for 50 years, freeing the Cuban Five can be the first step in normalizing US-Cuban relations.” Meanwhile. Sheila Esguerra of ANSWER-LA explained how ANSWER youth mobilized for the liberation of the Cuba Five.

Arturo Garcia of AJLPP talked about the arrest and detention of Randall Echanis, deputy secretary general of the KMP and the Dutch government persecution of Prof. Jose MA. Sison as examples of direct US Intervention in the Philippines. He also pointed out NDF consultants are being arrested, detained and the peace process is in shambles. He also expressed solidarity to free the Cuba Five.

Gloria La Riva, on behalf of the Free The Cuban Five National Committee thanked all those who attended the unveiling of the billboard. She expressed thanks to those who made the billboard possible especially from the countries in Europe who donated money for the project. The billboard will be up in the site for one month.

For more information about the Free the Cuban Five see www.freethefive.org