2/6/15 Celebrating the Return of the Cuban 5

Friday night at the Festival Center something very special was happening.  It was a rare victory party for the Cuban Solidarity movement people.  After 56 years of an economic blockade against the small island nation of Cuba, there is political movement to end the blockade.

In December 2014, President Obama and Cuban President Raoul Castro agreed to begin to normalize relations between the two countries.  Cuba released some American citizens held in their prisons, and the United States released 3 of the Cuban 5.  The other two had completed their sentences.

Gerardo Hernandez, one of the 5 released in December, spoke to the audience from Cuba by Skype.  Photographer Bill Hackwell presented a slide show of this photographs, documenting the hero's welcome the Cuban 5 received when they returned to Cuba.

The DC Labor Chorus, led by folk singer Luci Murphy (center), performs at the celebration of the release from prison and return to Cuba of the Cuban 5.  The celebration took place at the Festival Center in the 1700 block of Columbia Road, NW Friday February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

Thomas Hill, called TomCat, a member of the DC Youth Slam champion team, shares his book of poetry with the audience at the celebration of the Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Nicaraguan ambassador Francisco Campbell Hooker is enjoying the entertainment at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Members of the International Committee to Free the Cuban 5 sing together during the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Lucia Martinez, 60, from the FMLN of El Salvador, is the main cook and hostess at the celebration of the Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Volvieron, “They returned,” a cake in celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

“El Gato” Bentley plays congas at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

Luci Murphy sings with the DC Labor Chorus at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Members of the International Committee to Free the Cuban 5 gather around the microphone at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

Netfa Freeman, with the Institute for Policy Studies, speaks to the gathering at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Gerardo Hernandez, one of the Cuban 5, talks to the audience by Skype at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

Sonia Umanzor, organizer of the Takoma Park Committee to Free the Cuban 5, delights in being able to talk to Gerardo Hernandez, one of the 5, by Skype at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Wayne Smith, former head of Cuban Interest Section in Havana, who retired in protest to champion the end of the US embargo of Cuba, enjoys the music at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia

  

Members of the audience wave good bye to Gerardo Hernandez, one of the Cuban 5, at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

 

Singer song-writer Patricio Zamorano performs at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

 

Lucia Martinez, 60, rom El Salvador, gets ready to cut the cake , at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia

(Left) Thomas Hill, aka TomCat, and Eric Powell, aka EIPJ, members of the DC Slam champion team, perform at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia 

The International Committee to Free the Cuba 5 sit for a photo after the celebration of the Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Takoma Park supporters of the Cuban 5 at the celebration of the Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

Victor Tolar, 34 from El Salvador, shows solidarity with the Cuban 5 at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia  

DC Labor Chorus at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6. /Photo by Nancy Shia  

70-year-old FMLN stalwart Victor Zavala shows solidarity with the Cuban 5 at the celebration of The Return of the Cuban 5 at the Festival Center February 6.  /Photo by Nancy Shia