THE LADIES IN WHITE VICTIMS OF AN ACT OF REPUDIATION

THE LADIES IN WHITE, VICTIMS OF AN ACT OF REPUDIATION ORDERED BY THE POLITICAL POLICE OF THE CUBAN COMMUNIST REGIME

Carlos Serpa / Radio Martí March 17, 2008

The "Ladies in White" were intercepted by paramilitary mobs during a peaceful march on March 15, as they were demanding the freedom of Cuban political prisoners on the 5th anniversary of their unjust arrest and imprisonment.
The crowds insulted members of the Ladies in White who were branded as "terrorists", "prostitutes", "assassins","mercenaries", and "bastards". The Ladies in White responded by repetitively chanting "freedom" and raising in the air each of their gladiolus as they allowed several white doves to fly off.
A Cuban state security official informed the peaceful marchers that they could not continue on to Revolution Square and Jose Marti Monument, which is considered a security zone. Aware of the women's firm posture to continue their itinerary of protest, several members of the mob along with state security agents formed a human chain to prevent the path of the Ladies in White as they moved towards Revolution Square, where the Central Committee of the Communist Party is located, the Council of State, as well as the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior.
The "act of repudiation" was not covered by the international press in Cuba, though a journalist and staff belonging to Cuban State Television were present filming the deed and interviewing members of the mob.
The Lady in White, Laura Pollan, declared that what had occurred proves once more that the Cuban people are on their side since those who always attack them are paramilitary troops." Once more there is proof here today that the Cuban people do not attack us, it is always the paramilitary troops who control the mob. That is why we saw the cameraman raise his hand and instruct the mob whenever they wanted them to scream or follow certain orders. In other words, these people who make up these crowds that attack us are controlled and manipulated; their actions are not spontaneous. We are always saying that these crowds do not represent the Cuban people expressing their rage against us, since the people are not with them ( the government ). Anonymous polls should be taken and then we would see that the Cuban people agree that the political prisoners should be freed. We are peaceful women, we do not put bombs nor carry arms as they do".
The group of women carried out a march that covered 4 kilometers throughout G street, 23rd avenue and the University of Havana. Throughout their procession they wore the number 55 on their back in reference to the amount of political prisoners that remain from the original 75 activists that were imprisoned in the so called Black Spring of 2003.

the Coalition of Cuban-American Women/ LAIDA CARRO. www.coalitionofcubanamericanwomen.blogspot.com/