“El Sexto,” on a Hunger Strike and in a Punishment Cell

"El Sexto," on a Hunger Strike and in a Punishment Cell / Cubanet,
Camilo Ernesto Olivera
Posted on September 18, 2015

The artist's mother denounces her son's treatment

Cubanet.org, Camilo Ernesto Olivera Peidro, Havana, 17 September 2015 –
Danilo Maldonado, "El Sexto," is being held in a punishment cell, and
his hunger strike continues. His mother, Maria Victoria Machado, managed
to visit him on Wednesday afternoon in the Valle Grande Prison, located
on the outskirts of the Cuban capital.

During these days when the temperatures in Havana get very high, "the
jailers give him water only twice a day," said Maria Victoria to
Cubanet. The artist's mother says that "eight days after the beginning
of the hunger strike, Danilo has spent four in the punishment cell. They
hold him incommunicado wearing only underwear. He has refused to put on
the prisoner clothing."

"I have no reason to put it on because I have no reason to be a
prisoner," responded Danilo to the officer who informed him that he had
to wear the uniform, according to Maria Victoria's account.

On Tuesday afternoon, two State Security officers visited her. Their
objective was to convince Maldonado, using her, to abandon his strike.
Maria Victoria's answer was that "she supports her son and stands firmly
by him."

The agents told her "that he just played into the hands of 'the enemy'."
But Machado told them that "those whom you label that way, they are the
only ones who have helped me in all this time that my son has been a
prisoner."

According to Maria Victoria, her son told her that the hunger strike is
"to the end." He said that he is prepared physically and mentally to
sustain it until they give him "an immediate release, because the only
other option is death."

The performance and graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado Machado, "El
Sexto," has been a prisoner since last December 25. Police arrested him
that day when he was headed to Havana's Central Park. He was carrying
two pigs with the names Fidel and Raul painted on them. His intention
was to release them in that central location as part of a performance
entitled "Animal Farm."

His case file was "lost," according to the prosecution. However, they
notified his mother three days ago that the document had been "recovered."

They accuse Danilo of the supposed crime of "contempt" against public
figures of State power.

Translated by Mary Lou Keel

Source: "El Sexto," on a Hunger Strike and in a Punishment Cell /
Cubanet, Camilo Ernesto Olivera | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/el-sexto-on-a-hunger-strike-and-in-a-punishment-cell-cubanet-camilo-ernesto-olivera/