Two important dates are approaching: Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24
Sixteen years ago on February 24, 1996 at 3:21pm and at 3:27pm two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down with air to air missiles in international airspace extra-judicially executing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr in an act of state terrorism.
Two years ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo died (or was extra-judicially executed) after 83 days on a water-only hunger strike. During the strike prison officials denied him water contributing to his death which constitute both torture and murder.
The Free Cuba Foundation calls on people of good will to join us in fasting and prayer for Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. on February 23 and to then organize vigils and moments of silence between the times when both Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down at 3:21pm and 3:28pm on February 24.
Now we are announcing activities taking place in Miami, Florida and invite you to send us news about actions that you are carrying out around the world. Please come back to this page. We will be adding photos and images that you can use for your own event(s).
February 23
3:00pm 24 Hour Fast for Wilman Villar Mendoza and Orlando Zapata Tamayo
Location: Francisco Human Rights Park
9445 SW 24 Street (Brothers to the Rescue Martyrs Blvd)
Miami, FL
Raúl Arencibia Fajardo ex-preso de conciencia anuncia un ayuno de 24 horas para recordar a Orlando Zapata Tamayo el pasado 23 de febrero comenzando a las 3:00 de la tarde.
Free Cuba Foundation coordinator Neri Martinez announced a worldwide 24 hour vigil last year for Orlando Zapata Tamayo on February 23, 2011. Orlando Zapata Tamayo died two years ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm after 83 days on hunger strike during which prison officials denied him water and contributed to his death. We shall be doing it again this year and tragically adding the name of Wilman Villar Mendoza.
February 24
3:00pm Silent Vigil for Justice
Location: Main Fountain Florida International University
11200 South West 8th Street, Miami, FL
Vigil will be at the main fountain at Florida International University between 3:21pm and 3:28pm the times that two Brothers to the Rescue planes were destroyed by air-to-air missiles fired by Cuban MiGs as they flew through international airspace searching for rafters. Family members and friends of Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. will be there in spirit. This event is for FIU students and members of the FIU Community and has been held annually since 1996.
Families of Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. will be holding a special Mass on Friday, February 24th at 7:30pm on 16th anniversary of the shoot down. Below is the statement that they have released.
Armando, Carlos, Mario & Pablo were volunteers flying a humanitarian search and rescue mission for rafters fleeing Cuba. On Feb. 24, 1996 they were shot down by Cuban war planes over international waters in the Florida Straits.
Two years ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo died (or was extra-judicially executed) after 83 days on a water-only hunger strike. During the strike prison officials denied him water contributing to his death which constitute both torture and murder.
One month ago on January 19, 2012 Wilman Villar Mendoza was unjustly imprisoned and then allowed to die by the Castro regime because he was not known internationally. Wilman was 31 years old and a member of the human rights group UNPACU (Union Patriotica de Cuba). He began a hunger strike in Aguadores Prison on November 25, 2011 to protest his unjust incarceration and to demand his freedom. Amnesty International had declared him a prisoner of conscience and holds the Cuban regime responsible for his death.
The Free Cuba Foundation calls on people of good will to join us in fasting and prayer for Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. on February 23 and to then organize vigils and moments of silence between the times when both Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down at 3:21pm and 3:28pm on February 24.
Now we are announcing activities taking place in Miami, Florida and invite you to send us news about actions that you are carrying out around the world. Please come back to this page. We will be adding photos and images that you can use for your own event(s).
February 23
3:00pm 24 Hour Fast for Wilman Villar Mendoza and Orlando Zapata Tamayo
Location: Francisco Human Rights Park
9445 SW 24 Street (Brothers to the Rescue Martyrs Blvd)
Miami, FL
Raúl Arencibia Fajardo ex-preso de conciencia anuncia un ayuno de 24 horas para recordar a Orlando Zapata Tamayo el pasado 23 de febrero comenzando a las 3:00 de la tarde.
Free Cuba Foundation coordinator Neri Martinez announced a worldwide 24 hour vigil last year for Orlando Zapata Tamayo on February 23, 2011. Orlando Zapata Tamayo died two years ago on February 23, 2010 at 3:00pm after 83 days on hunger strike during which prison officials denied him water and contributed to his death. We shall be doing it again this year and tragically adding the name of Wilman Villar Mendoza.
February 24
3:00pm Silent Vigil for Justice
Location: Main Fountain Florida International University
11200 South West 8th Street, Miami, FL
Vigil will be at the main fountain at Florida International University between 3:21pm and 3:28pm the times that two Brothers to the Rescue planes were destroyed by air-to-air missiles fired by Cuban MiGs as they flew through international airspace searching for rafters. Family members and friends of Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. will be there in spirit. This event is for FIU students and members of the FIU Community and has been held annually since 1996.
Families of Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña and Armando Alejandre Jr. will be holding a special Mass on Friday, February 24th at 7:30pm on 16th anniversary of the shoot down. Below is the statement that they have released.
You are cordially invited to a
Eucharistic celebration
In memory of
Carlos, Armando, Mario & Pablo
Friday, February 24, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.
St. Brendan Catholic Church
8725 SW 32nd Street
Miami, Florida 33165
Celebrant: Rev. Fernando Heria
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