Vol. 79/No. 1      January 19, 2015

Letter from Iris Baez, Mothers Against Police Brutality

Below is a statement by Iris Baez in solidarity with family members of the Cuban Five celebrating the release and return to Cuba of the Cuban revolutionaries. Baez is the mother of Anthony Baez, killed by a chokehold by New York cops in 1994.

December 17, 2014

Dear Sisters in the Struggle,

It is with great joy to hear that your loved ones are being released from a U.S. prison. I hope that they are healthy, strong and will be in their homes very soon. This release is far overdue. My heart is singing and I know the Cuban people will receive them with great joy. I am the mother of Anthony Baez, Jr. who was killed by a New York police officer in 1994. Along with many other parents who have lost their children to police violence, I have been in the struggle fighting for justice to end police brutality.

My son Anthony Baez was murdered with an illegal chokehold by a police officer while other police looked on and did nothing. These police officers then turned around and committed perjury in the court. Since 1994 I have learned that this is the American way of justice.

I have been speaking out against police brutality and for a more just world — free of racism and violence.

It is from my personal experience that I understand your pain. Just to think that as mothers and wives daughters and sons you all have been struggling to the day when all the Cuban 5 would be free. We have all been waiting for this day for over 15 years.

And I have been praying and speaking out on behalf of the Cuban 5 and it gives me great strength and greater love to see my brothers walk free. Please embrace Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, and René González for me and all of the parents struggling for justice.

Yours truly,
Iris Baez and family
Mothers Against Police Brutality
 
 
Related articles:
Cuban 5 free: New stage in defense of revolution opens
Footing strengthened to fight US embargo
Cuban Five have been ‘Absolved by Solidarity’
Provocative ultraleft actions deal blow to fight against police brutality
 
 
 
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