AUCKLAND, New Zealand — “Stay strong. The world will change, and when it does you will win back your freedom,” was the message from high school student Rahith Nagulan to three Cuban revolutionaries unjustly imprisoned in the United States. (See “Who Are the Cuban Five?” below.)

This and other expressions of support for the Cuban Five were written at an Aug. 15 Secondary Schools’ Peace Symposium involving more than 60 students from 10 schools. Organized by the Peace Foundation, the meeting’s theme was “Arts4Peace.”

The teenagers responded after hearing a brief talk about the campaign to win freedom for the Cuban Five, which for most was their first introduction to the case. They were also able to look at a collection of prison paintings by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Five, set up on tables in the foyer. Titled “I Will Die the Way I’ve Lived,” the 15 watercolors and accompanying descriptions convey the experience of Guerrero and his four comrades during their first months in U.S. prisons.

“I need you guys to know that even though your goal was to save your people’s lives and that didn’t go to plan — your story has saved many people’s lives one way or another. You guys have remained to stay true to yourself and I admire that,” wrote Azeeza Sahib, inset, at left, ending her letter “KEEP TOUGH!!!”

Nine students wrote messages to the framed-up revolutionaries.