Iliana Hernandez visits Perth

Vinnie Molina

Iliana Hernandez, a representative of the Communist Party of 
Cuba, visited Perth last week for three days of intense work.

She had been invited by the CPA and was hosted by the Perth 
comrades. More than 200 people listened to her passionate message 
of freedom, self-determination, dignity and solidary with Cuba 
during the course of her stay.

On her first day in town she met party branch members at a sun-
downer held at the Party's headquarters in Dianella. At dawn the 
next day she was addressing the entire workforce of the Multiplex 
Woolworths construction site at the Perth International Airport. 
She spoke to the construction workers of the struggle of the 
Cuban people against the inhumane 45-year long US blockade on her 
country. In her inspirational speech, Iliana also explained the 
struggle to liberate the Cuban Five — the five young men 
imprisoned illegally in the US who have been condemned to 
sentences of 15 years to double life imprisonment on false 
charges.

During her stay, Iliana had the opportunity to officially launch 
the limited edition shirt made by the local CFMEU branch, as part 
of the international campaign to free the Cuban Five. Iliana's 
visit coincided with the sixth anniversary of the Cuban Five's 
detention in the United States.

On Wednesday September 15 she met with Kevin Reynolds, CFMEU 
State Secretary; paid a visit to the CFMEU Construction Skills 
Training Centre as well hosting a public meeting at Unions WA. On 
this occasion she learned about the struggle of Australian 
workers for better wages and conditions.

On Thursday 16, the last day of her visit to WA, Iliana met with 
Greens MLC Jim Scott. He expressed his interest on the best way 
to express solidarity with Cuba. Jim took the opportunity to 
outline the policies of the Greens for the up coming federal 
elections.

In the evening she addressed a gathering of about 70 people, 
mainly from the Latin American community at the Maritime Union of 
Australia office in North Fremantle. This was a remarkable event 
— the local Latin comrades drew inspiration from the organising 
of the meeting and pledged to work together in solidarity with 
Cuba and other social justice issues in future.

Iliana's visit was the spark needed for the organisers of the 
Australian tour of Gilda Chacon, a representative of the Cuban 
Federation of Workers, who will be arriving in the country in 
mid-October.

Hasta la victoria siempre, Venceremos!

(We shall win!)