Free at last

Family and friends of the Miami Five are in for an early Christmas present, as the remaining three unjustly imprisoned Cubans were released yesterday (December 17), following an almost decades-long worldwide campaign for their freedom.
The release of Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero and Ramon Labañino from American prisons follows the release of Alan Gross by Cuba as part of a ‘prisoner swap’ and marks moves to ‘normalise’ relations between the United States and Cuba.
The release of the Miami Five, anti-terrorism campaigners falsely accused of espionage in an extremely prejudiced trial in 2000, marks a victory for the tireless campaigning of the prisoners’ wives and groups around the world, including Unite.
Commenting on the final three prisoners’ release, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said, “This historic move is the culmination of years of campaigning by the wives of the Miami Five and campaigners across the globe.”
“It is difficult to imagine not seeing your children grow up or seeing your family properly for over a decade,” he added. “That has been the story of the Miami Five and their unjust imprisonment, of missed years and a continual fight for justice.”
McCluskey hailed the role Unite played in the campaign to secure the prisoners’ freedom.
“The Miami Five’s plight has been an issue close to the heart of Unite and its predecessor unions,” he said. “Their release owes much to the energy of former Unite general secretary Tony Woodley, who has campaigned tirelessly for the Miami Five to be reunited with their loved ones after years of imprisonment.”
“Their release today shows what can be achieved through solidarity and perseverance, and will see families torn apart not just in Cuba, but in the United States brought together again after years of heartache,” McCluskey added.

Rob Miller, director of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, a Unite-affiliated group campaigning against the US blockade of Cuba, explained how years of campaigning had finally paid off.
“We are absolutely delighted about the release of the remaining prisoners. The Cuba Solidarity Campaign, in conjunction with Unite and other trade unions, have been campaigning for many, many years for this moment,” said Miller.
“We are now aiming to invite the Miami Five to the UK,” he added. “We’re hoping to have them here sometime in the new year to celebrate this remarkable victory.”

For more information about the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, visit its website here.
Stay tuned on UNITElive.org for the latest on the Miami Five.