A Message to the Freedom Riders

The July 26 Coalition and Casa de las Americas congratulates all the participants in the very successful April 21 Freedom Ride for the Five in Washington, DC. Some 400 people picketed the White House and then rallied in a spirited and determined action for Antonio, Fernando, Gerardo, Ramon, and Rene. We thank the International Committee to Free the Cuban Five for the April 17-21 initiative in Washington, DC.

We filled four buses from New York and marched to the White House to the cheers of those already gathered. We thank all of those who made the trip. We especially thank the leadership of District Council 37 and Local 372 for generously providing the resources for two buses, as well as the 1199SEIU Latin America Democracy Committee for their contribution towards securing a third bus. thanks you Local 372 President Santos Crespo and NY State Senator Jose Serrano for traveling with us and speaking at the rally.Thanks you brother Cesar Sanchez for the beautiful graphics on our publicity and thank you brother Carlos Rovira for the wonderful banners.

Let’s now move forward to a successful July 26 Celebration this year and especially for a successful, groundbreaking 1st NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FREE THE CUBAN FIVE in New York City on
September 14-16.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

Nancy Cabrero
Ike Nahem
Frank Velgara