“The Cuban people are and always will be the noblest example of solidarity in favour of life, which is the most valuable achievement of the Cuban Revolution,” said Reverend Raul Suarez Fields, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center, in the opening speech at the tribute ceremony in honor of victims of US terrorism against Cuba.
With Cuban President Fidel Castro on hand... quoted passages of King’s book, The Trumpet of Conscience, in which he makes devastating accusations against the war in Vietnam and describes the United States as a horrendous machine of violence, were read.
Reverend Suarez Fields recalled that Martin Luther King had decried how young black men —rejected by their own society— were sent to Southeast Asia to fight for a democracy that they hadn’t enjoyed in their own country; and that once they came back they continued to be treated as second citizens even when returning covered in medals. “With the same voice of King —affirmed Suarez— we say that the war against Vietnam then, and against Iraq today, are the symptoms of the illness that is killing the United States.”
The Cuban reverend also condemned the provocations of the US Interests Section in Cuba. "These acts are an insult to the memory, spirit and philosophy for which Dr. King gave his life, and are not representative of the American people’s feelings."
He also pointed out that churches and personalities of important religious and non-religious communities in the United States oppose the Bush Administration’s measures, as well as the blockade against Cuba.
He also referred to an article by Professor Saul Landau, about the double standard used by the current US administration to deal with international terrorism, demonstrated in the recent handling of the Posada Carriles case, which has violated several international agreements.
The reverend also mentioned his recent meeting with Cindy Sheehan, whose struggle for peace and justice he warmly acknowledged.
In his speech he stressed that the United States has ignored international public opinion regarding the innocence of five Cuban men being unjustly held in US jails, while President Bush and ultra-rightwing, Miami-based extremists aid real terrorists like Luis Posada Carriles.
Visibly moved, reverend Suarez reproached officials at the US Interests Sections for the escalating warmongering of the Bush Administration and for so many years of suffering caused by US aggressions, bravely resisted by the Cuban people.
