July 22, 2008
Caeite pa' tras! BREAKING NEWS
For a moment, I thought I heard Rod Serling's voice in the background.
This just in:
Civil Rights Leader Calls for the Freedom of Afro-Cuban Political Prisoners and Democracy Activists at New York DemonstrationNEW YORK (July 22, 2008) -- Today, prominent civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton led a demonstration to protest the Castro regime's ongoing human rights violations. The demonstration was held outside the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Rev. Sharpton highlighted the tragic plight of Afro-Cuban political prisoners and democratic opposition leaders, in particular -- Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez "Antunez."
Antunez's sister Berta and several former Cuban political prisoners - each who have spent terms between ten and twenty-nine years - stood alongside Rev. Sharpton as he shared the stories of their suffering. Rev. Sharpton spoke to “Antunez” personally yesterday evening from Cuba and he received a first hand account of the continued harassment he encounters daily in Cuba.
Rev. Sharpton also highlighted the case of Dr. Biscet who is currently detained in the infamous Combinado del Este prison, sentenced to 25 years for speaking out against the Castro regime. Conditions in the gulag are abysmal, and Biscet is regularly subjected to torture and extended stays in vermin-infested solitary confinement cells.
Biscet's wife, Elsa Morejon, sent a letter from Cuba thanking Rev. Sharpton for bringing attention to her husband's plight, and describing the conditions of his cruel and unjust incarceration.
Antunez was recently released from prison after serving a 17-year sentence for expressing his opposition to the Castro dictatorship. He has been harassed and beaten repeatedly by Cuban government agents since his release. Despite the persistent harassment, he continues to organize acts of civil disobedience in Cuba.
"We applaud Rev. Sharpton for bringing attention to the unjust incarceration of Cuba's many political prisoners. The Castro regime should take notice that the world will not stand for its systematic and violent oppression of Cuban citizens," said Peter Mirijanian, spokesperson for the Cuba Solidarity Movement.
Thank you, Rev. Sharpton.
Posted by Val Prieto at July 22, 2008 11:45 AM
Comments
Ahem, Val . . . do you recall the headline of my post from the other day? I seem to recall:
"Ladies and Gentlemen . . . a pig just flew past my office window."
I am speechless, dumbfounded, confused and heartened.
I don't know what to say. Granted, Mr. Sharpton simply uses these sorts of situations for his own personal benefit yet, this is rather remarkable.
Posted by: CubaWatch ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 22, 2008 12:30 PM
At first I thought you must be joking. It's about friggin time...double thanks to the Reverend.
Now, let's see if this goes anywhere, as in where are JJ, Belafonte and the other black civil rights "leaders".
Posted by: Ziva Sahl at July 22, 2008 12:32 PM
The end of the world is nigh. Repent.
Posted by: George L. Moneo at July 22, 2008 12:50 PM
Oñoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Posted by: Henry Agueros at July 22, 2008 12:58 PM
Thank God I'm Cuban; otherwise falling on my ass would've hurt.
Posted by: La Ventanita at July 22, 2008 01:08 PM
Well, well, well. More than a big win for the 'encarcelados', it is an even bigger
'defeat' for FIFO and his Habana Mafia!
Posted by: LaConchita at July 22, 2008 01:20 PM
Being a life long NYer, I’ve learned to appreciate Rev Al’s provocative tone through the years, but from past experience the Rev doesn’t veer off his self serving egotistical path without some kind of payback in return…….free lunch @ Victor’s Café I’m guessing
Posted by: Grano De Oro at July 22, 2008 01:25 PM
Surprising but most welcomed and appreciated.
Posted by: Robert at July 22, 2008 01:55 PM
Elizabeth, it's the big one ...I'm coming to join you ...
well I'll be damned....
cono!
Posted by: Cigar Mike Pancier at July 22, 2008 01:56 PM
That's fine, really, and the next support will come from the black brothers of Nation of Islam.
Posted by: Güicho Crónico at July 22, 2008 02:15 PM
Get the smelling salts! The Lord works in mysterious ways. Antunez and Sharpton?
Posted by: rsnlk at July 22, 2008 02:33 PM
Well, this is certainly welcome, at least if it's being done for the right reason, but that's obviously questionable. Time will tell.
Posted by: asombra at July 22, 2008 02:43 PM
In what may perhaps be related news, this picture was taken today: http://www.quoteoftheday.us/images/Hell%20frozen.jpg
Posted by: Davidb1 at July 22, 2008 03:25 PM
That is great news! Every little bit helps. I applaud Rev. Sharpton's civil and human rights activism. But how about the non-afro Cuban prisoners? Does Sharpton also want their release?
Posted by: Claudia4Libertad at July 22, 2008 04:12 PM
Is there a link to the story somewhere?
Posted by: Marc R. Masferrer at July 22, 2008 05:35 PM
yo 'toy paraliza'o....still don't beleive it...but i have to beleive the news if it's coming from Babalu....
so,i salute Rev Sharpton for what he had done,but i also don't forget who is Al Sharpton....
saludos
Posted by: tony44 at July 22, 2008 08:47 PM
I just shit my pants.
Posted by: Cangrejero de Caibarien at July 22, 2008 11:38 PM
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