[Introductory note: Below is information on the latest award received by
Ramon Colas and Berta Mexidor, the founders of Cuba's innovative independent
library movement. The brave people in Cuba who are being persecuted for defending
intellectual freedom, the core principle of librarians everwhere, will not be
deterred by the increasing volume and shrillness of the Cuban government's
efforts to discredit them.  People such as Mr. John Pateman, who insists that "a
free press exists in Cuba," have every right to express their point of view,
even as they try to deny this same right to people in other nations.  Despite
the Cuban government's ongoing efforts to portray the independent libraries as
some kind of subversive foreign conspiracy, growing worldwide support and
solidarity for the independent librarians, as demonstrated by the granting of the
prestigious PFAW award and the increasing number of foreign visitors to the
libraries, prove that intellectual freedom cannot and will not be extinguished on
the island].

Sincerely,

The Friends of Cuban Libraries
(www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org)
-----------------------------------------------------
                (www.pfaw.org)

'CELEBRATE FREE SPEECH' EVENT HONORS PROTECTION
AND PROMOTION OF FIRST AMENDMENT PRINCIPLES

Miami, FL - People for the American Way Foundation (PFAWF) will host its
third annual "Celebrate Free Speech" awards ceremony on Sunday, June 6th, at
7:00 pm at the Coral Gables Country Club, 999 N. Greenway Drive.  The
"Celebrate Free Speech" campaign was launched in 2002 by PFAWF to help
promote free speech awareness and practice through a greater understanding
of First Amendment principles.  The goal has been to encourage individuals
to speak their minds and respect others for doing so, even if common views
aren't shared.  As part of this effort, PFAWF annually recognizes
individuals who exemplify the spirit of free speech.

This year's awards ceremony will be combined with a reading of excerpts from
Trumbo, an off-Broadway hit play about legendary screenplay writer Dalton
Trumbo, (Exodus, Spartacus), one of the highest-paid screenwriters in
Hollywood until his name disappeared from the screen for years as a result
of Hollywood's McCarthy-era blacklist....

This year's award recipients are:

Spirit of Miami Award: Leonard Turkel

For his leadership during Miami's civil rights movement of the 1950s and
1960s, where he worked tirelessly to advance the black community's fight for
equality.

Bravura Award: Reverend Donna Schaper & the Coral Gables Congregational
Church

For providing a forum at Coral Gables Congregational Church for the exercise
of debate and free speech during the FTAA Minister's meeting last fall.

The Voice Award: Ramon Colas & Berta Mexidor

For their bravery in establishing a network of independent libraries in
private homes throughout Cuba, wherein censored literature was available to
the public....

People for the American Way Foundation is a national civil rights and civil
liberties organization with offices in Miami, California, Illinois, New York
and Washington, D.C.