“Bridge of Solidarity” exhibit in Havana highlights Cuban Five struggle

As part of the month of activity in solidarity with the Cuban Five on the 10th anniversary of their incarceration, an exposition of paintings by Cuban Five hero Antonio Guerrero and photographs by U.S. social documentary photographer Bill Hackwell opened in Havana at the Palace of the Computers on Oct. 8—the Day of the Heroic Guerilla. Over 300 people were at the opening organized by the Young Communist League (UJC).

Visitors admire the work of Antonio Guerrero and Bill Hackwell, Havana, Cuba, Oct. 8. Photo: Bill Hackwell

The title of the exhibit, “A Bridge of Solidarity,” was taken from the statement read in Miami in December 2001 by Guerrero during the harsh sentencing of the Cuban Five for defending their homeland from terrorist attacks being organized in the United States. Their conviction was politically motivated by U.S. policy against the Cuban revolution. The “bridge of solidarity” refers to the united effort by the people of the United States and Cuba that will bring about their freedom.

The exhibit consists of 37 photographs taken by Hackwell and their acrylic rendition by Guerrero. The images are of tireless fighters, well-known and anonymous, in the struggle for the freedom of the Cuban Five. They represent the thousands of people around the world who are actively working for their release.

The joint project took over a year to complete, enduring numerous obstacles—including four months when Guerrero was in lockdown in his cell in the U.S. Federal Penitentiary in Florence, Colo.

Hackwell told the audience that the strength of the exhibit reflects “A synthesis of the artists and the subjects blended into a common expression of purpose and solidarity that symbolizes the enduring hope for the freedom of the Five.”

Present at the opening was Ricardo Alarcón, president of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power, who criticized the decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta sustaining the Cuban Five’s conviction. “They can’t maintain the Five in prison forever and we are going to bring them back,” Alarcón said.

Also attending were family members of the Cuban Five, Fernando Remirez, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party Central Committee; the president of the Parliament of Botswana; and Eugenio Ravinet, general secretary of the Ibero-American Youth Organization.

The son of Antonio Guerrero read a message about the work and significance of the exhibit. Yoel Queipo, a leading member of the UJC, announced that thousands would visit the exhibit from schools in Havana province. He also mentioned that the exposition would travel the entire country beginning in Holguín in November.

Bill Hackwell is a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.