Dear
Friends:
The National Committee to Free the Cuban Five
is very happy to announce that the full-page ad in the New York Times, on the
Cuban Five, came out today, Wednesday, March 3, 2004!
It appears in all editions of the paper
throughout the United States, on page A7 in the New York edition and in page
A5 in all other editions, right-hand side, an excellent location.
In addition, we are doing a great deal of
outreach to the media, to take advantage of the ad's placement. To that end,
we have engaged a full-time publicist in New York, in addition to the help of
others who are volunteering on publicity. As we have said all along, the main
objective of our ad campaign is to raise the level of public awareness, about
the struggle of the five Cuban political prisoners. It is the political
struggle that is so essential to win their freedom.
The campaign to raise $50,000 for the ad was
first officially launched in October 2003. Since then, there has been a
tremendous outpouring of support from across the United States, and around the
world.
From the $10,800 raised by our German friends
in the Basta Ya! Network, to the more than $10,000 raised by the Cuban
progressive community in Miami, to all the many donations contributed from
Spain, Belgium, Italy, France, Colombia, Argentina, South Africa, England,
Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Australia, Canada, and many other countries, and all
across the United States, each dollar was accompanied by immeasurable
solidarity and love for the Cuban Five.
It is a great example of the people joining
in solidarity and coordinating internationally, to fight for the freedom of
our five brothers who were heroically defending their country from terrorism.
We extend our deepest appreciation to all the
friends of the Cuban Five who worked on this effort, and who will continue to
educate, agitate and organize until freedom is won for Gerardo, Antonio, Ramón,
Fernando and René. Without a doubt, the ad's publication was only possible
with the participation of all the friends involved.
We want to give a special thanks to Migiwa
Kanazawa, New York graphic artist, who designed the ad.
Donations are still very much needed. Much
more work is to be done in raising the public's awareness and consciousness.
We are producing hundreds of media packets (including videos), paying for the
publicist, and preparing for the mass production of posters and other
literature.
Because it is not possible to see N.Y. Times
advertisements on the Internet, which have appeared only in print, we will
send a copy of the ad or a reproduction to all donors, as soon as possible. In
the meantime, you can see the ad itself (a smaller version of course) on our
Website: www.freethefive.org http://www.freethefive.org/nytimesaddownload.cfm
Congratulations to all the Supporters!
Victory is Certain! Free the Five!
National Committee to Free the Cuban Five . 415-821-6545 .
freethefive@actionsf.org
