Cuban Five begin UK tour at Miners’ Gala

Militant/Jonathan Silberman

DURHAM, England — Gerardo Hernández, right, and René González, two of five Cuban revolutionaries who spent a decade and a half in U.S. prisons, at the 132nd Durham Miners’ Gala July 9, along with Cuban Ambassador Teresita Vicente. The gala attracts tens of thousands of workers each year.

“That empire that used to apply terrorism against us, pretends to be our friend now. They tell us to forget our history, to forget the terrorism and the blockade that the U.S. has imposed on us for 50 years,” González told the crowd. “But when we come here and see your parade, we know we can never forget history.” González and Hernández are touring the U.K. to thank those who backed their fight for freedom.

The gala starts with a parade with brass bands and former miners from all over Britain marching with the colorful banners of their colliery. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was the main speaker.

“The fact that two of us are here today is your victory,” Hernández said. “It shows the power of unity, solidarity and struggle.

“People ask me, don’t you regret the time they robbed from you? To that we respond, we are robbing time from them now. I am robbing time from the two life sentences that I was supposed to serve.

“They may have been able to destroy your industry,” he said, referring to the closing down of all deep coal mines in the U.K., “but they have not destroyed your spirit. That spirit is an example to the Cuban people and to the world.”

— CATHARINA TIRSÉN AND JONATHAN SILBERMAN