The Cuban air force shot down two American civilian planes in 1996, killing four men. The Cuban government contends these aircraft, piloted by members of the anti-Castro organization Brothers to the Rescue, were violating Cuban airspace in an attempt to incite political unrest. Five Cuban agents who had infiltrated the organization were then arrested in Miami on several charges, including conspiring to commit murder, for their role in providing information to the Cuban government. The five were convicted on July 18, 2001, in a controversial case that illustrates the continued complications of the U.S.-Cuba conflict 47 years after the Bay of Pigs.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center (922 San Pedro) will screen Mission Against Terror — a documentary contending the “Cuban 5” are anti-terrorist heroes, wrongfully convicted — Saturday August 23. Conjunto roquero band Karma will play at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7 and a concluding discussion with a panel including organizers of the Venceremos Brigade to Cuba. Admission is free.
In other, impossible-to-gracefully-segue-into news, log onto sacurrent.com to check out our interview with The Office’s Rainn Wilson re: The Rocker, and come back Friday for a review of Death Race.