A Day of Solidarity With the Cuban People, 2008

Proclamation 8258 of May 20, 2008

A Day of Solidarity With the Cuban People, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of
worship are among the liberties that Americans cherish.
Our Nation fully supports the brave people who work to
secure these liberties in the countries where they are
denied. And on this Day of Solidarity with the Cuban
People, we focus our attention on the men and women
working to secure freedom, democracy, and human rights
for the citizens of Cuba.

For half a century, the Cuban people have suffered
under oppressive dictatorship. Under the rule of Fidel
and Raul Castro, Cubans have seen their political
freedoms denied, their economy reduced to shambles, and
their families torn apart. The Cuban people deserve
better--and the American people stand with them as they
work to achieve it.

The United States is rallying the free world to the
cause of Cuban liberty. We continue to shine a bright
light on the Castro regime's abuses--and America calls
on the Government of Cuba to immediately and
unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience.

We keep these prisoners, their families, and all Cubans
in our prayers. Especially on this Day of Solidarity,
we ask the Almighty to comfort and strengthen those who
suffer under the Castro dictatorship--and to hasten the
day when Cuba's suffering comes to an end.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim May 21, 2008, as A Day of
Solidarity with the Cuban People to recognize those who
are suffering in Cuba, especially Cuba's prisoners of
conscience. I call upon the citizens of the United
States to mark this observance with appropriate
ceremonies and activities that demonstrate America's
resolute support for those living under the Castro
regime.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.