Obama, we too have a dream, say Cuban protesters

Obama, we too have a dream, say Cuban protesters
Friday, March 26, 2010
By Martin Barillas See all articles by this author

Thousands of protesters gathered in Miami FL on March 25 to show their
solidarity with the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), a group of Cuban
wives and mothers of political prisoners held in dictator Fidel
Castro's jails. Members of the Ladies in White were assaulted by Cuban
security agents on March 22 while the commemorated the so-called Black
Spring of 2003 when the island's communist government arrested some 75
human rights activists and political dissidents. In recent weeks, one of
those arrested in 2003 – Orlando Zapata – died in jail. President Barack
Obama has denounced the increased repression by the Castro government,
even while the bearded dictator has been quoted as saying that he
approves of the U.S. leader and his healthcare reform plan.

Protesters at the rally were heard to shout "Obama, we too have a
dream!" and "Freedom!". Protesters marched simultaneously in Havana,
walking along the city's famous quay called "El Malecon" to the Hotel
Nacional were they released dozens of doves. In response, there was a
claque of counter-proters shouting "Fidel! Fidel!." President Obama on
March 34 called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners
held in Cuba.

Among the celebrities joining the protesters In Miami on March 25 was
Cuban-born singer Gloria. Said Estefan "Thanks, Miami, this shows they
were are united!...I see that the rest of the world is also speaking
out, I see the European Union speaking out, people who are usually on
the side of Fidel Castro. I thought to myself, I am a woman, a Cuban. I
have an opportunity to speak through music. It is something I have to do."

The Colombian singer, Shakira, released a statement on her website in
support of the protesters. Wrote Shakira, "Today I join the call to
action by Gloria Estefan to support the Ladies In White, who are true
heroines of our time, exemplars of female courage and victims of the
repression and violation of human rights in Cuba. I hope that this
rising up for the freedom of all political prisoners and respect for
human rights will reach the very heart of all the tyrants and that above
all, plants seeds of liberty in all the young people of the world,
because it is us who justice depends on."

Estefan added that Cubans may disagree on many things, but they are
agreed that Cuba deserves freedom. Protesters in Cuba called on
socialist Spain to recognize the increased repression in Cuba and
continue pressing for reforms. Another protest is expected in Los
Angeles CA on March 28, organized by Cuban-American actor Andy Garcia.

Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy
advocate and election observer in Latin America.

http://www.speroforum.com/a/29759/Obama-we-too-have-a-dream-say-Cuban-protesters