[NYTr] Atty Gonzalez Denied Visit to His Cuban 5 Brother in Prison

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Joan Malerich - Aug 22, 2007

Cuban Five's Brother short presentation 
(notes Roberto was denied right to visit Rene) 

Free the Five [back on the air]
http://www.freethefive.org/resourcesaudio.htm

[Roberto Gonzalez, brother of Cuban Five and who is an attorney in
Cuba, spoke August 19, 2007, at the reception in Atlanta before the
August 20th  hearing.  Following is the translation of his speech,
which I transcribed from the tape that one can listen to by going to
the above link.

Note: When Roberto landed in the US, he went to visit his brother 
Rene in Marianna Florida prison.   His visit was denied on the basis 
that he had traces of drugs on his hands.  This is not the first time 
the US has used this fallacious "reason" for denying one of the Five's 
relatives visitation.  I was told at a Pastors for Peace Caravan event
a few years ago that Antonio's mother was denied visitation for the
same reason.  Antonio's mother is a dignified lady in her sixties.
Antonio's mother was finally allowed to visit Antonio with others
present-- but not alone. These games the US plays are  absurd and so
inhuman. -JM]


Translator for Roberto Gonzalez, Rene's brother, 
who is an attorney in Cuba:

Roberto says I should ask who doesn't speak Spanish. How many of you do 
not understand Spanish? Well, we are very sorry, we are going to speak 
in Spanish. (audience laughs)

Yesterday, I intended and I tried to visit Rene in prison.  I arrived
in prison.  I could not visit Rene in prison. According to the prison 
authorities, I had on my person traces of drugs either on the passport 
or on my hands. I have never tried drugs.  I have never seen anyone 
consuming drugs. Possibly I contaminated myself at Miami International 
Airport to be more exact. (audience laughs.)

I could come from there (to) here very mad. but it isn't that.  I do
not feel that way. I am happy.  I am happy because you are all here.  
Because this is not a case of one brother being in prison.  This is a 
case of Five men who are in prison who should not be in prison, because 
prisons are not made to jail useful persons. We have been involved for 
nine years now in appeals, documents, claims and such matters that are 
surrounding a great (grave?) injustice.   And, tomorrow we will witness 
another legal event. We will not have an answer.  We will not go away 
from there with any solution. I only ask of you that once you return 
where you live that you are working on behalf of Five men who work to 
defend human life.  And, human life is a supreme good.  No one should
be in prison for attempting to save human lives. In the name of the
family of the Five and in the name of the People of Cuba, I am sure of
that.  I thank you from my heart.