Mairead Maguire was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in l976 for her  work for peace and a nonviolent solution to the ethnic/political conflict in Northern Ireland – an award she shares with Betty Williams.   The two women, along with journalist Ciaran McKeown organized massive peace demonstrations and founded the Peace People, a movement committed to building a just and peaceful society through nonviolent social action and a rejection of “the bomb and the bullet and all the techniques of violence”. Mairead currently serves as Hon. President.  Since receiving the Nobel Prize, she has dedicated her life to promoting nonviolence  and disarmament, both in Northern Ireland as well as around the world

 

August 5, 2014

 

Mr. President,

 

I am writing again in the context of the worldwide actions that take place on the 5th of every month in solidarity with the three members of the Cuban 5 who remain imprisoned in the US.

 

The attendance at, and broad interest in, the recent event in Washington is a good indication of the increasing disquiet that exists internationally in all spheres of societies formed on a broad range of principles.

 

I have observed some very positive progress since I last wrote and I strongly believe that the ongoing and progressive normalization of Cuba – US relations will be beneficial to both nations and beyond.

 

It is the only way in which a space can be created in order to resolve the humanitarian issues that arise in relation to the three men aforementioned and of course, Alan Gross, who recently suffered the loss of his elderly mother and is, by all accounts very depressed and despondent as he awaits a resolution to his situation.

 

I lend my voice to the many you have already heard in asking you to do all within your power to bring to an end the suffering arising from these situations.

 

There are very real grounds for concern regarding the safety of all of the convictions and sentences imposed in the case of the Five and in particular there are very serious issues arising from the conspiracy to commit murder finding against Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo.

 

So many unanswered questions and reasonable doubts exist in this regard.

 

I know that you are fully informed about all issues arising regarding the Five and Alan Gross and we sincerely trust your intention to act accordingly.

 

I respectfully request that you do so sooner rather than later. Justice delayed is justice denied and there has been sufficient denial and delay to date.

 

Thank you very much for the time and attention you have already given to this matter.

 

I wish you every blessing and success in your work,

 

In Solidarity,

Mairead Maguire

NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE

 

Remember: On Tuesday August 5th, call Obama and demand the freedom of the Cuban 5
 
CALL THE WHITE HOUSE TO JOIN THE WORLDWIDE DEMAND  
FOR THEIR FREEDOM.
By phone:
202-456-1111  (If nobody answers the phone leave a message)

If calling from outside the United States, dial first the International Area Code
+ 1 (US country code) followed by 202-456-1111
By Fax: 202-456-2461
If fax is sent from outside the United States, dial first the International Area
Code + 1 (US country code) followed by 202-456-2461
To send an e-mail: [email protected]
To send a letter:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500

United States