FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2023
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Rep. Gimenez Bans the Truth From His Office
US hawks peddle lie to escalate tensions with China and Cuba
WASHINGTON–On Tuesday CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans was detained by Capitol Police and barred from Representative Gimenez’s congressional office for a year. Her crime? Pointing out that a sign the office had displayed was a lie. Gimenez’s sign was a propaganda poster about a nonexistent “new China spy base” being built in Cuba.
“Spreading lies and misinformation has been the root cause of most wars. Wars kill people and the planet, shame on the Congressman and his lying staff. The United States has tried other immature lies recently with the sensationalized Chinese “spy balloon” story. We need cooperation not hate and lies for peace.” Jodie Evans explained after her unnecessary detention.
This misinformation campaign has been propagated by supporters of the Cuba embargo and China war hawks, despite being rejected by both the Pentagon and Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister. Even John Kirby, National Security Council spokesman has denied the initial reporting.
Distorting the truth with the lie of a new “spy base” being built is designed to cause paranoia and escalate tensions with China and Cuba. Congressional hawks like Gimenez are proudly continuing the lie to advance their own hatred and desire for war.
Cuba has long had a commitment to promoting peace in the region, including as a signatory of the Declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. Currently, Cuba is hosting peace talks between Colombia and the National Liberation Army, which have resulted in a historic cease-fire bringing peace closer to Colombians. Cuba's dedication to peace in the region has been consistent while the US maintains its infamous Guantanamo Bay base open in Cuban territory. The base is notorious for its inhumane treatment and torture of detainees. Despite calls by the Cuban people for the base's closure, it remains operational and continues to hold prisoners without trial, some of whom have been detained for years. Cuba has expressed a desire for peace and normalized relations with the US, but the US has always rejected these efforts. Instead the US continues its economic warfare on Cuba with devastating sanctions and blockades.
Subsequently, two CODEPINK activists were also detained and barred from Rep. Gimenez’s office on Wednesday when they went back to add some context to the office’s intentionally dishonest sign.
CODEPINK will continue to advocate for peace on Capitol Hill, cut through the lies, and silence the drumbeats of war hawks and war profiteers. Americans are tired of the United States war economy and its constant need for enemies and conflict. We need peace and diplomacy now for the sake of all people and the planet.
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