New York Times photographer Stephen Crowley snapped a picture of freed Cuban detainee Alan Gross at his lawyer’s office preparing his televised remarks after landing in America. But when he posted it to Twitter, it raised eyebrows for someone else in the picture: Communist revolutionary Che Guevara.
Alan Gross, w atty Scott Gilbert & spokeswoman Jill Zuckman, prepping remarks to deliver after arriving in US…#Cuba pic.twitter.com/8Od6G54jc6
— Stephen Crowley (@Stcrow) December 17, 2014
Twitter users quickly picked up on the bizarre fact that the attorney for a man jailed by the oppressive Castro regime apparently has a picture of Fidel’s executioner-in-chief. (Equal numbers were confused by the bizarre-looking ray gun-like object sitting on the desk).
@Stcrow @ron_fournier Ironic that there’s a picture of Che in the background.
— Joe Lieber (@joelieber) December 17, 2014
Fans of Che? @Stcrow Alan Gross, w atty Scott Gilbert & spokeswoman Jill Zuckman, prepping remarks to deliver after arriving in US…#Cuba
— JG (@JohnG405) December 17, 2014
Note Castro supporting Che looking on @Stcrow: Gross, w atty prepping remarks after arriving in US…#Cuba pic.twitter.com/6DPwFzZ2tv”
— Noam Neusner (@NoamNeusner) December 17, 2014
.@Stcrow Why is there a photo of Che hanging on the wall? Where is this???
— AJ Delgado (@AJDelgado13) December 17, 2014
Why is terrorist Che in the background? Wowzers. RT @Stcrow Alan Gross, w atty Gilbert & spokeswoman Jill Zuckman, prepping remarks #Cuba
— Scott Lofquist ن (@ScottLofquist) December 17, 2014
@Ted_Newton @Stcrow Yes, and pic above is Fidel Castro golfing with Che Guevara!
— Laurie D. (@LolosInTheHouse) December 17, 2014
Indeed, although not enough of the picture is visible to say for sure, it does appear to be another iconic photo of Castro and Guevara golfing.
A profile of Gross’s attorney Scott Gilbert reveals that he’s quite the character, decorating his law firm with motorcycles, guitars, and plenty of pictures of Jimi Hendrix. There’s no mention of any Che pictures, but it would fit into Gilbert’s rebellious image.