13.09.08 'Free the Cuban five' demo images

Images from the demonstration organised by the National Committee to free the 'Cuban Five', on the north pavement of Trafalgar square, London, on 13.09.08.
The 'Cuban Five' are five Cuban nationals, imprisoned in 2001 on much-disputed allegations of spying against the USA. Many Cubans and their supporters believe they were actually gathering intelligence about possible terrorist acts against Cuba.

UK, London. 'Free the Cuban five' demo, Trafalgar Square. 2008

Introduction to 'The Cuban Five':

The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in U.S. prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami, on June 8, 2001.
The evidence against them is hotly disputed by Cubans around the world.
Their names are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González.
The Five were accused by the U.S. government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related charges.
But the Five pointed out vigorously in their defense that they were involved in monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups, in order to prevent terrorist attacks on their country of Cuba.
The Five’s actions were never directed at the U.S. government. They never harmed anyone nor ever possessed nor used any weapons while in the United States.

For more information, try the 'National Committee to free the Cuban Five's website:

http://www.freethefive.org/

Or maybe the Wikipedia entry for the Cuban Five, which has links on the subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Five

- - - - - - - - - - - -

This demonstration happened on the North pavement of Trafalgar Square, on Saturday from 12-3pm. It was apparently timed to coincide with other demonstrations around the world, with a great many in America.
It was totally non-violent and non-confrontational when I was there, with a group of mellow people, mostly from the UK it seemed, handing out leaflets, reading quotes via megaphones and getting passers-by to sign petitions.
The public's reaction seemed to be almost always positive, and people generally appeared willing to listen, when it became clear that the subject was Cuba - US politics.
The police were basically happy to let them get on with it.

- - - - - - - - - - -

All images Copyright Billy Macrae 2008, although these lo-res versions may be distributed in connection with this protest.
(For hi-res, drop me a line.)

An edit of this series, and other stories along related themes can be found on my blog:

http://www.billymacrae.blogspot.com

Peace
Billy : ))

Billy Macrae
e-mail: billy.macrae.online@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.billymacrae.blogspot.com