Along with the Cuban people, and many individuals and organizations from around the world, including from the United States, the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5 fought for the return of Rene Gonzalez, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino and Gerardo Hernandez. Finally on December 17, 2014, all of the Cuban 5 were reunited with their loved ones. It was a great victory. Many factors contributed to the outcome and the worldwide solidarity movement played a very significant and important role.
That same day, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would change its relationship with Cuba, recognizing that after 55 years the U.S. policy with the island had been a complete and utter failure. Now that the Cuban 5 are home, the main focus of our committee will shift to fighting against all aspects of the U.S. blockade against Cuba.
Our previous name will now be replaced by the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity to the Peoples. One of the initiatives in the United States will be a Campaign for a Just Policy Towards Cuba.
As has been announced recently, the openings of the respective embassies are now scheduled to take place on July 20, but that is just a first step to any real and lasting change. It is going to take considerable time to undue the wrongs that have been done to Cuba and for the two countries to normalize relations. Obama has the authority to do much more in the dismantling of the blockade than he has done so far. The people of the U.S. should be able to travel to Cuba as they travel elsewhere and the return of Guantanamo to Cuba is imperative. Nothing is going to change without a struggle because the ultimate goal of the U.S. government remains the same.
We cannot be lulled into thinking it is just going to happen and that we can relax. The urgency is greater than ever and that is why we are organizing events in September in Washington DC.
On September 16, 17 and 18, 2015, solidarity friends from across the United States, Canada and other countries will come to DC to participate in a series of activities aimed to bring awareness to the impact of the U.S. blockade on the Cuban people and on the people of the United States, and to share ideas on how we move forward.
THE TIME HAS COME TO PUT AN END TO THE U.S. UNILATERAL BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA
Organized visits to Capitol Hill and local district offices
A ONE-DAY Conference to discuss the impact of the blockade and to learn about how both Cuba and the United States would benefit from lifting the blockade.
An Appeal to the international solidarity movement with Cuba to organize events during these days in their cities and countries.
