‘Sheehan Dismisses Appeal From Cuban Dissidents’ Wives’

An article written by Sarah Garland was recently brought to my attention, where I supposedly am shunning a request from a Cuban women’s organization to visit a Cuban prison [Foreign, “Sheehan Dismisses Appeal From Cuban Dissidents’ Wives,” January 10, 2007].

Your article was the first I had ever heard of such a request, and I am amazed that such accusations would be made without verifying the statements with me or with a representative of mine. Medea Benjamin was correct in stating that we had never heard about the letter, but she does not represent me.

I recently wrote in my blog, available at gsfp.org, that I am concerned about human rights violations all over the world, but especially when these violations occur from my government.

There are many countries that America trades with and whose leaders George Bush meets regularly with that have atrocious and abusive records, i.e., Saudi Arabia and communist China.

I regularly accept invitations when my schedule permits and may have been able to accommodate this request if I, or anyone on my staff, had seen it.

It seems that these women are able to protest on a weekly basis in Cuba. I commend them for their steadfast commitment to improving the conditions of humanity and their courage to hold a candle to injustice.

I am here to shed a spotlight on America’s inhumane treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo, which has put a black stain on the heart and soul of what once was a nation that in times past was above such atrocities.

I feel our house should be clean before we dare begin to hypocritically point out the garbage in others’.

CINDY SHEEHAN
Venice, Calif.

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