The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington has launched a nationwide online petition drive to garner thousands of signatures for the goal of securing the release of Alan Gross from Cuban prison on humanitarian grounds. The petition humbly appeals to Pope Benedict XVI to take the necessary efforts to obtain Alan Gross’ release during his upcoming visit to Cuba on March 26-28, 2012. The petition is located at: freealangrossnow.com.

Alan Gross, a resident of the DC Metropolitan Area, was arrested in Cuba in December 2009, while working with Cuba’s Jewish community to improve Internet access and to create an intranet.  He has been incarcerated ever since. He languished in prison for over a year before he was finally charged by the Cuban government.

A Cuban court convicted him of “actions against the integrity of the State,” and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Alan subsequently appealed his sentence to the Cuban Supreme Court, and the court reaffirmed the sentence, exhausting all of Alan’s legal remedies. His only avenue left is commutation of his sentence by Raul Castro, President of Cuba.

Alan and his supporters have fervently rejected all accusations that he did, or intended to, do anything to harm the Cuban government.  Contrarily, his work in Cuba was intended to help the Cuban Jewish community improve its access to information through the Internet and intranet. The President of the United States, senior Administration officials, several high-ranking members of the United States Department of State, Members of Congress, international leaders, and newspaper editorials have all called for his immediate release.

The petition urges Alan’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds.  Alan has lost approximately 100 pounds and is suffering from several ailments. Since his incarceration, his wife Judy has undergone surgery for an undisclosed medical issue and one of his two daughters was recently diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Alan’s 89-year-old mother is fighting inoperable lung cancer.  His entire family fears they will never see him again.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) is the public affairs and community relations arms of the Jewish community representing over 100 Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Image Courtesy of   Gasper Furman / Shutterstock.com

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Madrid is absolutely ready for the beginning of  “Jornadas Mundial de la Juventud” (World Youth Day). Streets are clean and shut down and pilgrims are waiting for Benedict XVI to arrive to the city.

Even before his arrival, the polemic is already there. Is it worth it to spend 50 million euros for an event that will generate only 100 million, especially in a worldwide crisis context?

In a non-denominational state like Spain, all Madrid’s citizens will be faced to an enormous traffic diversion and a virtual collapse in the city.

Half a million people are expected to be a part of this 7 day event, but is it really profitable?
Pilgrims who checked in the JMJ, will get special discounts for public transportation, food tickets and housing for only 210 euros. A really good offer for those who are coming to see Benedict XVI.

Considering this, and also knowing that the average age is 22, how much money will the pilgrims spend in Madrid?
Other events, like annual Gay Pride counts with an austere budget, only 500.000 euros, and generated, this year, more than 110 million euros. A considerable difference if we compare it with World Youth Day.

Demonstrations, appart.

A secular demonstration is also organized for this Wednesday. Madrid’s mayor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, believes that this is unacceptable, considering the possible conflict with other religious events.

After several discussions, the demonstration was finally accepted and will coincide with the pilgrims in Puerta del Sol, an strategic hotspot for World Youth Day.

As usual, Spain is divided.

From bullfighting to gay marriage, Spain has two strong views: left and right-wing. We are not talking about politics, but rather people.

Strong points of view are exposed with this international event: from college students to nuns, in favor and again arguments come up easily in Madrid’s streets… and also on the Internet.

Twitter has an enormous roll these days. Hashtags like #MadridSinPapa (Madrid with no Pope), #Madrid11 or #JMJ are used to express from one side and the other, all thoughts related with Benedict XVI and World Youth Day.

Humor aside (people can be really original with their comments), taking a look into these hashtags we can see phrases like “We are totally ready for this incredible experience” and “We are strong and the world will see it”.

But a huge current of comments like “Not with my taxes” and “Spend that money in Somalia” is also coming up with the same force as the others.One thing is for sure, the respect, first of all and from all sides, religious and secular, in this kind of massive event, is the most important matter to emphasize.

In a particular coexistence of each view lies what really turns a society into a tolerant and democratic region.

Image Courtesy of  Natursports / Shutterstock.com

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