Virtual vigil for Brothers to the Rescue shoot down victims to demand justice and truth 25 years after their extrajudicial killings

Long live Armando, Carlos, Mario and Pablo!

Every year since the week following the 1996 shoot-down, FCF members have joined together to hold a silent vigil at Florida International University on February 24th between 3:21pm and 3:27pm at the times both planes were blown up by Castro's MiGs in remembrance of Armando, Carlos, Mario, and Pablo who gave their lives in service to others in a continuing demand for justice. 

This tradition has been maintained for the past 24 years and this year on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 3:21pm we will gather with the families of the four martyrs to mark 25 years, but due to COVID-19 participation will be limited. Florida International University is limiting access to campus. To take part you must register with them in advance.

What:   Vigil for BTTR shoot down victims 

When:  Gather @ 3pm Vigil starts 3:21pm on Wednesday, February 24

Where: Main Fountain

             Florida International University 

             11200 South West 8th Street Miami, FL

Considering these limitations due to the pandemic, and the importance of marking 25 years since this act of state terrorism committed by the Castro brothers that murdered three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident, all of Cuban descent, and still calls for justice. A virtual vigil is being called for on all social media platforms on February 24th from 3:21pm to 3:27pm. Please take a picture of yourself joining in the vigil, and post it with the hashtags #VirtualVigil, #TruthJusticeMemory #WeAreConnected #JusticeForArmandoCarlosMarioAndPablo and #PatriaYVida.

In the four days leading up to the activity we are asking people of good will to join us in sharing the official report, images, and video interviews about what happened, and raising awareness around the world with the facts in evidence. 

Please share the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights September 29, 1999 report Nº 86/99 CASE 11.589ARMANDO ALEJANDRE JR., CARLOS COSTA,MARIO DE LA PEÑA, AND PABLO MORALES vs CUBA. 

The report details how twenty five years ago on February 24, 1996 at 3:21pm and at 3:27pm two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down by Cuban MiGs that launched 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. 

Video playlist below offers information on the Brothers to the Rescue shoot down, and the aftermath.