The following is a letter to the Cuban Five, who were charged with espionage and sentenced to long jail terms in the US.
My name is Craig Johnston. I am in prison in Australia for crimes against the capitalist state. Myself and 16 other trade unionists fought to defend our members' jobs when they were sacked. I have been jailed. I was formerly a leading union organiser. I am writing to express my solidarity with yourselves in your current fight for justice.
I wish you all well and hope you are coping with the rotten prison system. It must be hard to be separated from family and friends and not in your beloved homeland Cuba.
Cuba is a beacon of light for so many of us around the world. A working socialist system that looks after people, not massive profits for multinationals. While I'm in jail, I'm studying Spanish as when I get out, I hope to travel to Cuba to see the revolution in action.
Comrades, stay staunch and keep up the fight. There are millions of people that owe so much to people like yourselves and are inspired by the example you set.
Viva Cuba. Yours in unity and solidarity,
Brother Craig Johnston (political prisoner).
From Green Left Weekly, December 15, 2004.
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