RATB picket of US Embassy in support of the 5 Heroes of the Revolution in imperialist gaols

29 June 2002 - picket of US Embassy in London: Free the Miami 5

Read report on the picket we held on 15 June
Read the 20 April picket report

See the postcard and letter sent to us by Gerardo Hernandez and Fernando Gonzalez, two of the Miami 5

Rock around the Blockade held its third successful picket of the US Embassy on 29 June in London to FREE THE MIAMI FIVE. A lively and noisy group of activists gathered outside the embassy, now assured of extra space in which to demonstrate since high security and fear of attack means that the road in front of the embassy has been closed off!

Free the Miami Five!

The picketers were welcomed, Rock around the Blockade was introduced and emphasis was put on how a regular presence outside the US Embassy to highlight the issues raised by the Miami 5 continues to be very important - which is why it was so good to see that people continue to turn out for the pickets.

People came up to speak on the megaphone: messages of solidarity from Rock around the Blockade groups around the country who could not join the picket; a speaker from the newspaper Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! spoke about the US prison system and how like in Britain the prison population is disproportionately black and poor. While one in 1,000 people in Britain are in gaol, in the US it is a staggering one in 250, with one in three black men under the age of 30 in some part of the prison or parole system. The Miami 5 have entered the system at the harshest end since they are accused of espionage the speaker said.

	Police gather "low-grade" information, noting what banners read and what is said at the heavily fortified embassy

This theme was taken up by the speaker from the Revolutionary Communist Group who asked who are the terrorists? And which is the most hated government in the world? The answer to both questions is the USA and everyone on the picket pointed to the building that we were in the shadow of. Everywhere in the world that the US government is it needs to be guarded by heavily armed police and soldiers from the anger of the mass of the world's people. Here in London this embassy needs the whole road in front of it closed with concrete blocks, two fences and the Metropolitan police armed with automatic weapons, as well as a barracks filled with US marines opposite it! The speaker told the picketers of the real terrorism of the imperialist nations such as the US and Britain, involved in policing the world in the interests of the minority and at the expense of the majority. The speaker mentioned former US President Carter's visit to Cuba where he and soon after President Bush thought there was mileage in publicising the 11,000 signatories who wanted a change in the Cuban constitution that would favour capitalism. The mass grassroots organisations of the Cuban people, including the Central Workers' Trade Union, the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution, Cuban Women's Federation, José Martí Pioneers Organisation and the Federation of University Students, responded defiantly by organising a petition of more than eight million signatures to the National Assembly of People's Power that called on the National Assembly to enshrine socialism in the Cuban constitution. This has now been passed.

The constitution now reads:

"Cuba is an independent and sovereign socialist State of workers organised by all its people for the well-being of all, as a unitary and democratic Republic, for the enjoyment of political freedom, social justice, individual and collective well-being, and human solidarity."

"Socialism and the revolutionary political and social system established in the Constitution and proven through years of heroic resistance to aggression of all kinds and economic warfare waged by the successive administrations of the most powerful country that has ever existed, and having demonstrated their capacity to transform the country and create an entirely new and just society, are irrevocable; and Cuba will never again return to capitalism."

The picket also had a speaker on the Intifada, he outlined Cuba's principled position of support of the Palestinians rising up against Zionist oppression. Not only does Cuba fly the Palestinian flag, but in Palestine they fly the banner of Che Guevara. This is mutual recognition of the revolutionary struggle and the beacon that Cuba represents in fighting for socialism and to maintain the gains of the revolution.

Two members of Rock around the Blockade read out with pride the letters that we have received from Gerardo Hernandez and Fernando Gonzalez, two of the Miami 5. Their strength is our inspiration. The letters also show that they receive what we send and that it is very important for them to receive news of campaigns and activities around the world in their support. We pledged to continue that support from RATB and from individuals.

After learning about the connection between Bacardi and the counter-revolutionaries in the US, the same terrorist counter-revolutionaries that the Miami 5 made such sacrifices to combat, we moved on to some chanting and slogans in order to warm up for the final part of the picket: Free the Miami 5... drop the charges now! The Miami 5 are innocent... free them now! Defend the Cuban Revolution... end the US blockade!! The chants rang out loud and clear.

Being the eve of the World Cup final, we had a surprise for the US Embassy by holding our own five a side final in the road outside the building! The two teams lined up: the Miami 5 versus the US imperialists with full live commentary over the megaphone. Under the eyes of the imperialist gold plated eagle perched on the Embassy the game unfolded. The Miami 5 team fairly and squarely beat the imperialists 5 - 0! In this case, the imperialists' dirty tricks - including hand ball, drafting in extra players and fouls were not enough to secure them the most prestigious prize of the season and the Miami 5 were victorious - to shouts of delight from the watching crowd. Victory was with those on the side of justice, humanity and socialism.

Long live the Cuban Revolution!
End the US blockade!
Free the Miami 5!
Venceremos!

The Miami 5 team beat the US imperialists 5 - 0

For more information on the five, visit Rock around the Blockade's new website www.ratb.org.uk and the International Action Center and e-mail us at office@ratb.org.uk to get involved in the campaign.

It is also important to write to the five Cubans, not just to let them know that they have not been forgotten and raise their morale, but also to lower the morale of their imperialist gaolers by reminding them that they are not going unnoticed by the rest of the world. Here are their NEW addresses:

René González
Reg. #58738-004
F.C.I. McKean
P.O. Box 8000
Bradford, PA 16701

Gerardo Hernandez
#58739-004
U.S. Penitentiary-Lompoc
3901 Klein Blvd.
Lompoc, CA 93436

(For RAMÓN LABAÑINO)
Write to: Luís Medina
#58734-004
U.S.P. Beaumont
P.O. Box 26030
Beaumont TX 77720-6035

(For FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ)
Write to: Rubén Campa
#58733-004
F.C.I. Oxford
P.O. Box 1000
Oxford WI 53952-0505

Antonio Guerrero
#58741-004
U.S.P. Florence
P.O. Box 7100
Florence CO 81226

Free the Miami 5, Heroes of the Revolution in imperialist prisons!