Gerardo Hernandez appreciates
support of unions in B.C.
Vancouver, April 12, 2016.
During his stay in this western Canadian city, the
Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Gerardo Hernandez, expressed his eternal gratitude
to Canadian unions for their participation in the international campaign
for the release of the Five.
In meetings held separately with leaders of trade unions including the British
Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF), the Post-Secondary Educators
Federation and the Hospital Employees Union, the Cuban antiterrorist fighter
launched an appeal to continue supporting the causes of the Cuban Revolution,
especially demand the US government to lift the criminal blockade, while
thanked on behalf of his four brothers and relatives of the Five for all the support
received during the time unjust imprisonment.
Gerardo was honoured by the warm welcome he received from Victor Elkins
President of the Hospital Employees Union; Jim Iker, President of the BC
Teachers Federation (BCTF); Teri Mooring, 1st Vice-President of the BCTF;
George Davison, President of Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC
(FPSE) and Terri Van Steinburg, Secretary-Treasurer of FPSE.
Reprinted from: Consulate General of Cuba-Toronto with additions by Noah Fine
Vancouver, April 12, 2016
Click here for the report for the Gerardo Hernandez event in Vancouver
Click here for Gerardos Speech at the event in Vancouver
Nanaimo, April 13, 2016
By Noah Fine
On Wednesday April 13, after concluding
the previous evening a very successful event
in Vancouver with more than 250 participants,
Cuban 5 Hero Gerardo Hernandez
with friends from Vancouver Communities
in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) and
Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-
Vancouver travelled by ferry to
Nanaimo, BC where Gerardo and
the Cuban 5 have enjoyed the support
of many great friends of Cuba.
More than 70 people packed into
the conference room of the Nanaimo
Harbourfront Public Library
for a beautiful and intimate
event with Gerardo.
Barbara Biley, Regional Vice-President
for Vancouver Island of the Hospital
Employees Union (HEU) and member of
the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-
Leninist) opened the event as MC and
welcomed Gerardo to Vancouver Island.
She then welcomed amazing friend, Cuban
5 activist, and Nanaimo resident, Ruth
Caspell who read touching sections of her
letters from her years of personal correspondence
with Gerardo Hernandez while
he was held in U.S. prison.
Following Ruth, Tamara Hansen, coordinator
of VCSC gave a short overview of the
success of Gerardos visit to the province of
British Columbia so far. She was then followed
by incredible guest of honor Cuban
5 hero Gerardo Hernandez. Gerardo spoke
about his experience during his more than
16 years of unjust incarceration and thanked
the people of Nanaimo for their solidarity.
Audience members asked many questions
to Gerardo some hearing about the case for
the first time. The event wrapped up with
a loud applause for Gerardo as audience
members were invited to get signed copies
of Gerardos cartoons.
Click here for the reports from Gerardo Hernandez events across Canada
Back to Article Listing
