1. The United States government accused the CUBAN FIVE of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. military and threatening national security among other charges. The Cuban Five maintain their defense that they did not engage in any espionage activities against the U. S. military, rather they only monitored the activities of Miami?based right?wing groups, mainly Cuban?American organizations, which have plotted terrorist activities against the Cuban government; and
2 On June 8, 2001, five Cubans living in Florida were convicted in federal court in Miami. Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Ramon Lananino, and Antonio Guerrerro Rodriguez were convicted of "conspiracy to commit espionage" and " conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent"; Fernando Gonzalez Llort and Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert were convicted of "conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent" and Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo was also convicted of "conspiracy to commit murder" in the deaths of 4 pilots belonging to the right?wing Cuban American group, Brothers to the Rescue; and
3. The Cuban government has consistently maintained its sovereign right and obligation to defend itself from terrorist and criminal actions arranged, announced, and launched against Cuba by U.S. funded and supported right?wing Cuban?American organizations; and
4. Cuban?American right?wing organizations in Miami have plotted and engaged in terrorist activities against the Cuban government and against those in the United States who advocate for normal relations between Cuba and the U.S. for over forty years, and as recently as this year. These activities have led to countless deaths and injuries of people, those living in Cuba and in other countries, including the U.S. Cuba is entitled to information about attempts to overthrow the Cuban government so that Cuba can protect its people and land; and
5. The Cuban Five did not receive a fair trial. Defense attorneys unsuccessfully sought a change of venue from right?wing Cuban?American controlled Miami, and they were prevented from using key evidence of terrorist activities directed against Cuba by Cuban?American organizations in Miami.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Lawyers Guild and its members support the efforts of the defense committees for the "Cuban Five" to educate the public on the injustices of these convictions, and to aid in efforts that these convictions be overturned, these charges be dropped and the Cuban Five be released;
The National Lawyers Guild further calls on the United States government to immediately cease harboring and politically and financially supporting organizations which plot and encourage terrorist activities against the people and government of Cuba: and to vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who plan and implement such activities against the Cuban government and people.