Cuban Five acknowledge book by canadian author Arnold August

Luis Chirino

15/09/2013

Opinión

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Canadian writer and analyst Arnold August, a tireless activist in the struggle for the release of the five anti-terrorist Cubans, who were arrested in 1998 in Miami, received the acknowledgement from the five heroes in a symbolic token of appreciation during the recent launching in Ottawa of his most recent book “Cuba and its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion.”

As indicated in Arnold’s web site report published on September 6, 2013, the present was handed over to him by Bill Ryan. In Bill’s remarks he explained that he has had the privilege of working with Gerardo Hernández, one of the Cuban Five, in the carving of sculptures to be presented to supporters of the cause of Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Rene González, Ramón Labañino and Fernando González.

The sculpture, carved in wood, consists of a big number “Five” topped with the Cuban flag on a small base bearing the title of the book and the names of the heroes. They were given extremely long sentences in 2001 by a biased Miami court after they monitored Florida-based violent organizations that planned terrorist actions against Cuba. Only Rene González has returned to Cuba after having completed his unfair sentence and having achieved the modification of his parole conditions in exchange for the renouncing of his American citizenship.

Bill Ryan said that Gerardo Hernández gives him the design idea and Bill carves the sculptures. Although Hernández, who was given 2 life terms plus fifteen years in prison, cannot physically hand out the presents, he mentally travels with Ryan to different places in order to show appreciation for their supporters’ work.

Ryan recalled that August has permanently worked as a member of the International Committee for the freedom of the Five, and by participating in many events, including the recent ‘Five Days for the Five’ in Washington.

The book “Cuba and its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion,” which Arnold dedicates to the Cuban Five, offers the information that many around the world are looking for to really understand Cuba, a country where some believe that there are no elections, much less it having a democratic system at all. It also offers the analysis from the perspective of a non-Cuban writer, who has armed himself with objective and convincing elements to bring the facts to his readers. All this is found in the book, plus the well-presented historical context that enriches the exposure of this important subject.

The book presentation was attended by H.E. Julio Garmendía Peña, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Ottawa and Miraly González González, First Secretary of the Cu

ban diplomatic mission; Ana Carolina Rodríguez, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Ottawa; Hilda Sisalema, Minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuado

r, Ottawa; Denis Lemelin, President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), and Don Foreman, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) among other personalities

Below is the full text of Bill’s presentation:

Good Evening

My name is Bill Ryan and I have had the privilege of knowing and working with a great Cuban by the name of Gerardo Hernández, who you probably know as being one of the Cuban Five.

For the past three years I have helped Gerardo thank some of the people that have supported the Five in their struggle for justice.

Our arrangement is quite simple. Gerardo will identify an opportunity to acknowledge someone. He will provide me with a design and message; I will then carve the sculpture and present it.

While Gerardo would love to hand over these gifts and thanks personally, 15 years in a maximum security prison has made that rather difficult. Therefore, he relies on others such as his wife Adriana to travel for him.

There is a character in a song written by an American by the name of John Prine. His character has the ability to “travel in his mind”. Out of necessity Gerardo has also learned this skill. In spirit, Gerardo travels with his gifts to deliver them, along with his thanks on behalf of the Five. Sometimes I’ve been lucky enough to tag along as well.

For example, tonight Gerardo is visiting Ottawa to acknowledge and thank a great supporter of Cuba and of course the Five.

Arnold has worked tirelessly for the cause of the Five, both as a member of the International Committee and by attending and participating in many important events, including the recent ‘Five Days for the Five’ in Washington.

As I said, tonight Gerardo has travelled to Ottawa to thank Arnold and to offer his congratulations on the launch of his book, Cuban and Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion.

On behalf of Gerardo and the Five, I would like to thank Arnold and present him with a small token of their appreciation.

Bill Ryan

Perth, Ontario, Canada

If you want to read more about the Recognition event and view photos, please visit Arnold’s webpage:http://democracycuba.com/Recognition_Cuban_Five.html

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