They were unjustly accused by the Spanish authorities of having desecrated the tomb of Gonzalo Castañón, a Spanish journalist and lawyer, in the old Espada cemetery in Havana. This fact deeply wounded the sensibility of the Cuban people, who covered their hearts with mourning for such an infamous injustice. José Martí later, when writing about this event, incited not to serene weeping, but to tears of fire against the oppressive murderers. The names of these students are: Alonso Álvarez de la Campa y Gamba, Anacleto Bermúdez González de Piñera, José de Marcos y Medina, Ángel Laborde y Perera, José Pascual Rodríguez y Reyes, Carlos Augusto de la Torre y Madrigal, Eladio González Toledo and Carlos Verdugo y Martínez.

Alonso Álvarez de la Campa y Gamba 

Born June 24, 1855 in Havana. Son of the Asturian Alfonso Álvarez and Cecilia Gamba, born in Havana. He was one of the eight medical students shot on November 27, 1871 by the Spanish troops.

Anacleto Bermudez Gonzalez de Piñera 

He was born in Havana on June 7, 1851. He was one of the eight medical students shot on November 27, 1871 by Spanish troops.

 José de Marcos y Medina  

He was born in Havana on March 7, 1851. He was a first year medical student at the University of Havana who was involved in the events that culminated in the tragic execution of the eight medical students.

 Ángel Laborde y Perera  

He was born on December 5, 1853 in the Cerro neighborhood in Havana. He was one of the eight medical students shot for allegedly desecrating the tomb of Gonzalo Castañón.

José Pascual Rodríguez y Reyes 

He was born in Havana on June 24, 1850. He was one of the eight medical students shot in Havana by Spanish troops.

Carlos Augusto de la Torre y Madrigal 

He was born in Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, today Camagüey, on July 29, 1851. He was one of the eight medical students shot in Havana by Spanish troops.

 Eladio González Toledo  

He was born on October 29, 1851. He was one of the eight medical students shot in Havana by Spanish troops.

Carlos Verdugo y Martínez  

He was born in the city of Matanzas on January 15, 1854. A first year medical student at the University of Havana, he was involved in the events that culminated in the tragic November 27, 1871 when Spanish colonialism shot eight innocent medical students.