Condecoran in Cuba prominent freedom fighters of the Five

As friends were rated outstanding activist Alicia Jrapko and American photographer Bill Hackwell, receiving the Medal of Friendship granted by the State Council of the Republic of Cuba.

 
Ali and Bill, as they are known, were creditors of Distinction "for their hard, tireless and tenacious contribution to the struggle for the freedom of the Cuban Five," said Kenia Serrano, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) , reading the arguments of the 5224 agreement of the State Council, at a ceremony for the purpose.

Consecrated Argentine-born militant is Jrapko coordinator since 2006 in the United States of the International Committee for the Freedom of Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero and Ramón Labañino, who along with Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, released from prison after serving their sentences in the group of The Five.

Meanwhile, Hackwell companion through Jrapko in fighting and in life-was born in New Hampshire. Member of International Committee and veteran of the Vietnam War during his career has worked on projects of social documentation not only in America but also Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico (Chiapas), Iraq and Italy.

Did causality that this medal was hung on her breasts when you are doing 12 years after the first visit he made ​​to Gerardo in a maximum security prison in California. Since then, Alice and Bill have made it over 20.

And feel honored because "have been Fernando and René, already with his people and his family, who handed us this medal," said Jrapko.

During the ceremony at the headquarters of ICAP, attended by relatives of the Cuban Five, the messages sent by Hernández, Labañino and Guerrero were read, which were the common denominator to highlight the value of these friends, loyalty and love for Cuba, given their lives to the noble cause.

For Bill, in this struggle for the freedom of the Five "I received more than I gave."

For Alicia, The Five "are the product of this wonderful play called Cuba".

Both reiterated their commitment not to pursue their efforts because in the future "that supports not expect" everyone to return to the bosom of his people and his family.

Thousands of people in the world solidarity embrace this cause, including Nobel laureates, artists, parliamentarians, trade unionists and religious who are asking President Barack Obama to find an answer to the case.

The Five were arrested on September 12, 1998 in Miami, while giving monitor activities of violent organizations involved in terrorism against Cuba from South Florida, something they do with impunity of the authorities of that country more than half a century.