FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 January 4, 2008          

FOR MORE INFORMATION:                                 Camila R. Gallardo

CANF SPONSORS THREE KINGS DAY EVENT IN CUBA FOR CHILDREN OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

As part of its ongoing program of providing support to Cuba’s dissidents and the families of beleaguered Cuban prisoners of conscience, the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) will be sponsoring a Three Kings Day celebration for the children of political prisoners.   The event will take place on Sunday, January 6^th, at 1:30pm at the home of Laura Pollan in Havana, member of the ‘Ladies in White’, a group of wives, daughters, and mothers of those unjustly imprisoned for advocating for the respect of human rights.     

The ‘Ladies in White’ and the Cuban American National Foundation have partnered for several years now to provide gifts to the children of Cuban political prisoners, allowing them to partake in an afternoon of festivities.  

“The 6^th of January is a wonderful day because we were always taught that through honoring our children, we were also honoring Jesus and we want to ensure that although the regime has tried to eradicate this practice, our children and grandchildren who’ve had their fathers imprisoned because of their desire to live in freedom, have an opportunity to share in the special significance of this day,” said Melba Santana Ariz, wife of prisoner of conscience, Alfredo Dominguez Batista.  

“Our hope is that this event provides an opportunity for these children to feel some joy while they are dealing with the difficulty of being separated from their fathers.   It is our way of letting them know that they and their families are not forgotten and that we will continue to work towards the liberation of all of Cuba’s political prisoners,” said Jorge Mas Santos, Chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation.  

Location:                                               Neptuno #963, between Hospital and Aramburu Havana, Cuba

Time:                                                     1:30pm                                                         

Contact Phone Number in Havana:     873-4165

PRESS IS ENCOURAGED TO COVER THE EVENT.

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