Eugenio Leal – Translating Cuba

Graffiti and Scathing Flyers / Eugenio Leal

Graffiti, a term that comes from the Italian “graffio” meaning “scratch,” has existed since the dawn of humanity. We see it in the cave paintings of Lascaux, in France. Our ancestors marked the walls with bones and stones and left us their testimony. Also, in ancient Greece and the ruins of Pompey texts have appeared that revealed election slogans, drawings and the various obscenities of their inhabitants.

In Havana, in the early nineties, with the disappearance of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the economic crisis that the government called “the Special Period,” we found at various points in the city a symbol of the Abakuá fraternity. It consisted of a circle within which are two rods superimposed on a cross with arrows at both ends, which means “the roads are closed.”

At different times, other symbols and texts have gained ground in the urban environment and, systematically, government agencies have been alerted to erase, detect, apprehend, prosecute and imprison the graffiti artists. But as the system’s structural crisis became endemic, we became used to — both the repressors and repressed — the appearance, more or less ephemeral, of suggestive messages encoded in different parts of the city.

A few years ago, in Plaza along 23rd Street, an enigmatic text appeared. It was red, consisting of a vertical line with an arrow at the upper end that made an inverted letter V, and another, normal, much smaller, on the lower end. To emphasize, the reverse S was upside down. Virtually overnight the graffiti appeared on facades, walls, traffic signals, park benches, and whatever flat surface was available.

There was no need to be an expert in esotericism, the sign told us we had the change the situation of our society. Not only by the reverses word. The weight of the large V on the little one, on the lower part, indicated the instability of the system.

Recently, I met a young active graffiti artist who signs his work with “El Sexto” — the Sixth — and is designated National Graffiti Artist Vanguard. From a long time back I have seen his mark all over the city, that authenticates his self-identification. Now, in the most unexpected places, his texts and the characteristic signature line appear.

Distinguishing himself from others, who have also dabbled in the art of graffiti, he also prints flyers. And so he shatters the ancient iconography of the system of government. Among them are: “Give Back My 5 Euros,” which satirizes the alienating campaign for the 5 spies of the Wasp Network imprisoned in the United States; “With Reason Held High” in opposition to the slogan of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs); and “The Sixth Truth” where his image and the word Truth appear which discredits and shows the phobia occasioned by the truth. In his way, The Sixth transmits an important message: We are beginning to exercise our rights.

Please! Keep El Sexto in your sight. We will not allow the totalitarian regime to devour this young man, as they did to others when there were no modern information and communication technologies.

Part of the Dossier of El Sexto, which will appear here piece by piece.

October 2011

Police Operation to Prevent Estado de Sats Meeting / Estado de Sats, Antonio Rodiles

On Friday, August 10, in the vicinity of the headquarters of Estado de Sats, an operation was undertaken by State Security, with the participation of the police force, to prevent the public from attending the screening of the documentary Knockout, in our space: Cinema At All Costs.

It appears that the option of a repudiation rally, which they were planning and which we gained knowledge of and denounced, was changed for this operation, in which the following people (known to us, so far) were arrested and taken to different police stations:

David Canela

Bartolo Márquez

David Ávila

Rene Ramón González

Walfrido López

Eugenio Leal

Alejandro Zaldívar

All were released hours later with the exception of Eugenio who was still being held as this note was being prepared.

Others attending were denied access to the site.

——- From earlier notice of the film screening ——-

The film is a documentary by Darsi Ferrer. This material shows starkly the abandonment and helplessness suffered by many boxers, former Olympic champions, in today’s Cuba.

Political Police Stake Out Estado de Sats and Arrest “Movie Night” Attendees

Screen shot 2012-08-10 at 10.00.01 PM — I am [being] arrested at Infanta and Manglar [in the] Cerro [neighborhood]

According to tweets not posted here, the apparent plan to stage a “repudiation rally” at Estado de Sats was called off after Antonio Rodiles, manager of the project, delivered a complaint to the police (see third post down). So “Movie Night” went off as scheduled although people were blocked from reaching the site, and some were arrested as they left.

Screen shot 2012-08-10 at 9.59.54 PM — Luis Felipe: Blogger Eugenio Leal by text message: “I am detained at Infanta and Manglar, Cerro.”
Yoani: Among detainees of today are Walfrido Lopez and Eugenio Leal, the latter is at 4th Police Station at Infanta and Manglar
Regina: Received text message from blogger Eugenio Leal, detained by PNR [National Revolutionary Police] at Infanta and Manglar.

Tweets copied and posted at 1:00 AM Havana time, 11 August 2012

Survey on Government Economic Measures / Eugenio Leal

The group Veritas of Psychosocial Investigations received a request from the Center of Socio-Economic and Democratic Studies (CESED) to carry out a public opinion poll about the economic measures implemented by the government. They developed the following questionnaire:

Veritas Group of Psychosocial Investigations

Volunteers carried out the survey, face to face, between January and March. There were 736 forms processed from the following provinces: Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Ciudad de La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba.

The total of general responses was considered for statistical analysis. Categories were: 15 to 34 years old, 35 to 49 years old, and more than 50 years old. Numbers were quantified by sex for the general total and by age-group categories.

Out of 736 people, 368 were female and 368 were male.

Citizen opinion about the changes in Cuba.

Age and gender

	Total General	%	15 -34	%	35-50	%	+50	%
F	368	50	138	43	138	55	92	57
M	368	50	184	57	115	45	69	43
Total	736	100	322	100	253	100	161	100

Question 1: Do you think the government is carrying out all the changes that the country needs?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	66	9	20	6	21	8	25	16
No	382	52	138	43	139	55	105	65
Undecided	76	10	25	8	33	13	18	11
Don’t know	212	29	139	43	60	24	13	8

Question 2: Do you think it’s necessary to have self-employment?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	66	9	20	6	21	8	25	16
No	382	52	138	43	139	55	105	65
Undecided	76	10	25	8	33	13	18	11
Don’t know	212	29	139	43	60	24	13	8

Question 2A: Should small and medium-sized industrial and agricultural businesses be permitted?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	441	60	225	70	164	65	52	32
No	111	15	32	10	33	13	46	29
Undecided	77	10	25	8	32	13	20	12
Don’t know	107	15	40	12	24	9	43	27

Question 2B: Should taxes be lowered?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	574	78	252	78	212	84	109	68
No	65	9	16	5	23	9	27	17
Undecided	44	6	19	6	10	4	15	9
Don’t know	53	7	35	11	8	3	10	6

Question 2C: Should wholesale markets be created?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	464	63	194	60	152	60	118	73
No	42	6	19	6	15	6	9	6
Undecided	50	7	17	5	21	8	11	7
Don’t know	180	24	92	29	65	26	23	14

Question 2D: Should professionals be given licenses to work as self-employeds?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	600	82	282	87	213	84	105	65
No	39	5	6	2	12	5	21	13
Undecided	52	7	12	4	18	7	22	14
Don’t know	45	6	22	7	10	4	13	8

Question 3: Do you think the government should ratify the Declaration of Human Rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural – that the United Nations signed in 2009?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	428	58	209	65	139	55	80	50
No	61	8	21	6	26	10	14	9
Undecided	85	12	45	14	23	9	17	10
Don’t know	162	22	47	15	65	26	50	31

Question No. 4.- Do you think it’s your right to exercise freedom of ….

A) Information

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	484	66	203	63	162	64	119	74
No	63	9	47	15	12	5	4	2
Undecided	91	12	43	13	32	13	16	10
Don’t know	98	13	29	9	47	18	22	14

B) Expression

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	642	87	263	82	228	90	151	94
No	16	2	9	3	5	2	2	1
Undecided	47	6	29	9	11	4	5	3
Don’t know	33	5	21	6	9	4	3	2

C) Association

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	545	74	239	74	193	76	113	70
No	30	4	16	5	9	4	5	3
Undecided	60	8	21	7	20	8	19	12
Don’t know	101	14	46	14	31	12	24	15

Question No. 5.- Do you think democracy requires a multi-party system?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (322)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	571	78	236	73	204	81	131	81
No	64	9	47	15	12	5	5	3
Undecided	74	9	29	9	28	11	17	11
No sé	27	4	10	3	9	3	8	5

Question No. 6.- Do you think that a citizen who puts all his resources, means and effort into starting his own business has the right to associate with and receive funds from foreign investors?

	Total General (736)	% (100)	15-34 (332)	% (100)	35-50 (253)	% (100)	+50 (161)	% (100)
Yes	598	81	275	85	207	82	116	72
No	30	4	14	4	7	3	9	5
Undecided	53	7	21	7	21	8	11	7
Don’t know	55	8	12	4	18	7	25	16

Translated by Regina Anavy

June 5 2012

CIVIC MANIFESTO TO CUBAN COMMUNISTS / Dimas Castellanos, Eugenio Leal, Miriam Celaya

The informal announcement of the VI Congress of the PCC, to be held in April, 2011, has been accompanied by the publication of the Draft Guidelines which summarize the topics to be covered at the most important meeting of the only party in Cuba. This document contains some positive aspects, especially those showing a clear understanding of the deep structural crisis that the country is experiencing and others, showing the direction the proposed solutions are headed. But its limitations, its unilateral and sectarian character, and the unjustifiable omission of matters of dire importance to the present and the future of the nation, have motivated us to comment on basic elements not considered by the top leadership of the PCC, without the inclusion of which it won’t be possible to make strides of any depth or speed.

Some of these fundamentals are:

* The project is a straitjacket made without consultation, designed to truncate debate about issues that affect all Cubans and cover all spheres of national life. It is the outline of an agenda that, in the absence of essential rights and freedoms of democracy, rules out the participation of citizens in its proposals.

* It is inconceivable for a political party to avoid political debate and at the same time to try to keep the economy subject to ideology, a method that has already demonstrated its unviability for over half a century.

* The current situation clearly reflects two possibilities: either the Cuban model is unachievable, or the government has failed in its application. Therefore, essential self-criticism must be imposed wherever failure of the model that the government has followed to date is officially recognized, and the governing body’s responsibility in its implementation.

* If the model failed, it is not wise to update it, but to change it, which would also imply a referendum to change the players.

* The measures the government has been proposing in recent years in order to reverse the critical national socio-economic plight are transitory, outdated and clearly inadequate, because they suffer from a lack of realism. The Cuban crisis will not be reversed as long as the effect that the applied conceptions regarding property issues have had on the failure of the model are not recognized, and until they are fundamentally changed. This should be coupled with the necessary inclusion of nationals in the proposed investment processes. Maintaining the system of excluding Cubans — far from enhancing productivity and economic progress — establishes an obstacle to productive development.

* Any attempt to improve the situation in Cuba goes through the full implementation of human rights in its indivisible nature, whose Covenants, signed in February of 2008, have not yet been ratified by the Government. The consummation of this achievement not only implies the unconditional release of all political prisoners, but in-depth legal modifications that tolerate the legalization of political dissent.

* We have already exceeded the time limit for the implementation of partial reforms. No reform in Cuba can be confined to the domestic economy sphere, since the crisis spans the whole system. It requires, therefore, proposals of a systemic nature that cannot derive exclusively from the ruling party that has not even proposed a new program to replace the previous one — fruit of the Third Congress of 1986 — failed and forgotten.

* Cuba is urged to overcome the philosophy of survival. People aspire to live and prosper, not to resist. Cubans have a right to prosper from the proceeds of their efforts. A ban on the demonization of prosperity must be imposed.

* Any new model that is proposed should emphatically proclaim the end of the so-called Special Period and the beginning of a period of normality, based on agreed-upon principles which can be relied on, as part of a new social pact.

* The Cuban government has implicitly acknowledged that the country is economically dependent on foreign capital. However, external assistance should only be subject to compliance with internationally recognized principles with respect to rights, and full people-participation, which, up to now, Cubans lack. Investors may not become rich as a result of the absence of rights in Cuba. Paradoxically, the violation of these principles obliterates the intentions to establish social justice stemming from the socialist system.

* The updated model proposed by the Government is not “a model for man” but calls, instead for “Man for a model.” Man is subordinated to the economic and ideological interests of the ruling party. By keeping the sacrificial status of individuals in this system it is clear that this is not a humanistic model.

* Economic advances are not possible if they are separate from exchange and free access to information. The government monopoly on information networks denies the potential of a people who achieved high levels of education and constitutes a violation of their rights.

* The absence of alternation, nepotism, and the lack of limits on the terms in public office become a brake on development. The responsibility in the face of failures, linked to the accumulation of interests on the part of a group established in power in perpetuity, also tends to perpetuate the Cuban crisis and makes the collapse of the system irreversible. Reality demands a reform in this plane so that the existence of other policy options will force the government to successfully fulfill its mission at the head of the nation’s destiny.

This manifesto is signed on December 1st, 2010 by:

Dimas Castellanos

Miriam Celaya

Reinaldo Escobar

Rogelio Fabio Hurtado

Eugenio Leal

Rafael León

Rosa María Rodríguez

Wilfredo Vallín

The Essential Way / Eugenio Leal

Several of the promoters of the Renewal and Fraternity candidacy in the house of Gustavo Pardo. From right to left: Ernesto Luis Ocaña Gallardo, Jesusito Rodríguez, Martín José Pou Paldo, Gustavo Pardo and Eugenio Valdés Leal.

Magnify your people not by raising the roofs of their houses, but the souls of its inhabitants, advised the Greek philosopher Epictetus (55-135 AD) whose Stoic philosophy emphasized freedom, morality and humanity.

In this spirit, the Cuban Masonic Law in Article 1.1 states: Freemasonry is the organic institution of morality whose purpose is to dispel ignorance, combat vice and inspire a love of humanity.

In relation to freedom, the first plot for independence was hatched in 1810, in the lodge “The Temple of the Theological Virtues.” And to Masonry also belong the creation of the national emblem, the uprisings of October 10, 1868 and February 24, 1895.

However, in the last half century we have remained frozen in the past. Just look at the facade of the temple where appears inscribed in bronze the agreement of the First National Historical Congress, held in 1942, that stated: “… Cuban Freemasonry has been at all times, since its founding, the organization that has most contributed to independence, freedom, culture and progress, both from the ideological point of view, and by example, of sacrifice, heroism and perseverance of its members to give Cuba a life of human decency, equality, and social fraternity and a sound system of democracy. ”

You could say that we behave according to the model of the Greek philosopher Parmenides (540-450? BC) who claimed that the universe is eternal, unified, unmoved. When, in reality, contemporary science shows us that is closer to the conception of Heraclitus (540-475 BC), defender of the theory of constant mutability. Remember that this philosopher said, the only constant is change and nothing offers more resistance.

In our workshops we Masons are, as defined by social scientists, a seed of civil society. Democratic practices, with their methods and principles, give us, as in the past, the ability to contribute to the changes that our country needs.

Therefore, we must strengthen the genuine values of the Institution. Hence, these are the objectives of the Renewal and Fraternity candidacy, for elections of officers of the Grand Lodge of Cuba in 2012. It is based on three points: 1) Respect for prevailing Masonic Law, under the premise that no one is above the law. 2) A broad National Masonic Reconciliation, without any exclusion. 3) To provide an immediate solution regarding the relationship between Masons living in Cuba and those who are abroad.

In the Coat of Arms of the Grand Lodge of Cuba is the inscription: Sit Lux et Lux Fuit. Infodere vis. Which means: Let there be light, and there was light. In union there is strength. That reminds us of the importance of cohesion, the road is essential to achieve out of the long dark night of our history.

CANDIDACY

“RENEWAL AND FRATERNITY 2012”

TO THE CUBAN MASONS:

The undersigned lodges, saddened before the crisis of values and lack of esteem for prevailing Masonic Law, which has resulted in the unfortunate situation that Cuba Masonry is now passing through, have decided to address ALL CUBAN MASONS, without distinction of views or preferences, to invite them to work on a common project: THE REDISCOVERY OF THE PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES OF UNIVERSAL MASONRY.

This project will be based on three fundamental points:

1. Respect for prevailing Masonic Law, under the premise that no one is above the law.

2. A broad National Masonic Reconciliation, without any exclusion.

3. Providing an immediate solution regarding the relationship between Masons living in Cuba and those who are abroad.

To meet these basic objectives, WE SUPPORT AND NOMINATE Gustavo Enrique Pardo Valdés, President of the Cuban Academy of Masonic Studies, for Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba in the 2012 elections.

Gustavo Pardo and several brothers in the temple of the Mayabeque Lodge of Guines. Sunday November 7, 2010

In the Temple of Truth Lodge of Matanzas. Sunday November 21, 2010. Joint Meeting of Fraternal Clubs.

Translated by ricote

November 23, 2010

Good Reason / Eugenio Leal

On the morning of Saturday, October 16 , a meeting was held in the Supreme Council Degree 33 for the Republic of Cuba, located at No.164 Jovellar Street between San Francisco and Espada, in the Centro Habana municipality. It was convened to promote a process to judge and expel from Masonry Gustavo Pardo Valdes and another seven brother Masons.

It should be noted that in this activity only 11 of the 31 members that make up the Masonic body were present. It is pertinent to note that these attendees are recognized for their commitment to the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Jesús Armada Pena Supreme Council of Degree 33 in the Republic of Cuba.

The background to this event is because the Masons now on trial asked, in writing, for the Grand Master of the José Ramón González Díaz Grand Lodge of Cuba to address, as set out in Masonic Law, violations of the bylaws of the fraternity that Armada Pena had incurred, visiting irregular lodges in the United States.

Gustavo Valdés Pardo is a former political prisoner, now President of the Cuban Academy of Masonic Studies and former Chancellor of the Supreme Council of Degree 33. In addition, he works as a freelance journalist, is a Blogger Academy graduate and on the digital portal desdecuba.com he has the blog La Colmena (The Beehive).

Apparently, behind this maneuver are the political interests of the state, because Pardo Valdés is working in the emerging civil society. They want to avoid that a prominent opinion leader, with recognized expertise in the Masonic Institution, would be elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba in 2012, and would lead the campaign promoted in various lodges in the country with the motto: Renewal and Fraternity.

They are trying to get him permanently removed from the institution. This was already shown in that previously, on August 2, 2007, Caridad Diego, Chief of the Office of Religious Matters of the Cuban Communist Party Central Committee, opposed Pardo Valdés’ election as director of the Supreme Council, in which he occupied the post of secretary.

What happened then, was that approval was given for the re-election of Armada Pena, who is now 85 and has been in office for more than two decades. This is the typical process the government uses to maintain, at the head of the Fraternal Association on the Island, its own followers or those who will at least stay silent in the face of the widespread disaster in our society.

There is no lack of those who claim that it is an unfounded assumption to think that there are State interests in these matters. In reality, one must always leave a margin for possible paranoia among those who are repressed and harassed for long periods. But, in the case of totalitarian systems, when we suspect evil, we have good reason.

November 4, 2010

Polish Culture in Cuba / Eugenio Leal

The 58th edition of “Poland Today”, a periodical written and edited by the Polish Embassy in Havana, is already in libraries and national institutions. It is structured in specific sections such as current events, culture, politics, the Man and society, economics, science and Polish cooking. It is published three times a year, the 58th edition is the second of 2010.

In the January-March issue we learned about the celebration for the 200 year anniversary of Polish composer and pianist Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) who is considered one of the greatest creators of music for the piano of all time.

As part of the festivities honoring the musician, the Wielki-Opera Ponznan theater put on a show titled “Waiting for Chopin” at the San Felipe de Neri church. The show is inspired by the desire to visit and present little known works of the composer; his poor state of health prevented him from traveling to many countries.

The performance also welcomed the exhibit titled “Chopin in Cuba” which includes nine portraits of the artist by nine contemporary Cuban painters. The exhibit had already been shown for the first time at the Amadeo Roldan Theater during Frank Fernandez’s concert, which inaugurated the Chopin Year in Cuba.

The Numismatic Museum was able to present the “Numismatic Exhibit” due to a loan from the Polish Mint. The exhibit included the institution’s most interesting coins. One could see coins from Poland, Russia, Armenia and Andorra. The exhibit also included one of the smallest coins in the world, which weights a mere gram and holds a portrait of Frederick Chopin. Other novelties included pieces with encrusted amber and other precious metals and some that depict reproductions of famous paintings from Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.

From the April-June edition of the bulletin we also learned about projects for public buildings in Poland, whose advanced technological design will make them paradigms of reference in the cities where they are erected.

In this latest edition, much to the dismay of Caribbean male chauvinism, we found out about an activist for male rights. This person has a unique way of making his claims. With a long beard and a machista attitude, without being a homosexual or a transvestite, he dresses in a petticoat and high heels, even inside his home. And so he makes fun of the stereotypes associated with the male gender in society.

The relationship between Poland and Cuba can be traced back to the 19th century. Let’s remember that Carlos Roloff from Poland participated in our independence struggles and reached the rank of general. Later, when the Republic was formed he was conferred Cuban citizenship.

In keeping with this historical precedent, every year Poland organizes a week of cinema in Cuba which includes exhibits, conferences, theater workshops and other events. Their socio-cultural projects are a valuable contribution to the development and consolidation of civil society in our country.

Translated by: Lita Q.

August 31, 2010

To My Compatriots in the Diaspora and Friends of Promoters of Democracy and to the Emergent Civil Society in our Country / Eugenio Leal

Jehova is among those who help me. – Psalm 118:7

On Saturday, July 24, I received a letter from the Postal and Shipping Customs Center, belonging to the General Customs of the Cuban Republic. With that letter, I was notified that a process was underway to confiscate a package from the US that had been shipped to me.

The documents that I received were not the original ones, they are copies on carbon paper. Apparently, the objects which were confiscated are divided into three groups: 1) Digital equipment and media, 2) Office materials, and 3) Hygiene and Medicinal products.

In the section titled “Report”, they specified the causes for the confiscations on behalf of the Customs Department: “Upon carrying out the physical inspection, we found certain articles that go against the general interests of the nation, which is taken care of through confiscation according to the established and current law”. The Resolution of the confiscation is number 1130. The number is written with dark ink so that it can be legible. The Cuban system guides itself by resolutions that leave individuals defenseless.

The Resolution number 1187 also arrived written for Maida Martinez Perez, a resident of April 9th Street and Calzada de Luyano and Agramonte, of the 10th of October Municipality in the city of Havana. This lady is the mother of Joisy Garcia Martinez, a member of the Liberal Party of Cuba, who usually receives her mail in that address. The confiscation of the package under the name of the mother suggests that it seems as if they are doing so because of the data from the issuer in the US.

The government has found itself forced to release the last 53 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience of the Black Spring of 2003. It was made possible thanks to the internal and external demands made. Such experience should serve to unite us in a coordinated fashion, both those of us in the island and in the diaspora, together with international support, to shift our efforts to repealing the laws that make our nation an island prison. In that same manner, we must demand that they sign and abide by the Covenants of the United Nations.

With much gratitude for those who support us, these suggestions are for you:

On our part, we request that Dr. Wilfredo Vallin, president of the Independent Judiciary Association of Cuba, effect this demand with his organization.

Translated by Raul G.

August 3, 2010

Cuba, Born Again!

On the night of June 22, in the Cotorro municipality in Havana, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the coming of the Evangelical church to this country.

At Villa Rosa Baptist Church the different denominations of the town were brought together: Church of God in Christ, God of Prophecy, Assembly of God, The Open Bible, First Pentecostal, Full Gospel Church, Brethren in Christ, Free Baptist and Western Cuba Baptist. Also represented were churches from the cities of Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas, in the United States of America.

It was the Western Cuba Baptist church that started the missionary activity in El Calvario in 1930. And so the pastor of this church gave the sermon. He called for the unite of Christians. For living in harmony with the faith, and firmly defending the unity of the family. And to boldly keep all the good that God has given us.

I remember that in the decade of the seventies the evangelical seminaries were closed and the students were put in forced labor camps. The law of Obligatory Military Service was also established and those who for reasons of their faith refused to take up arms were put in prison.

Therefore it was gratifying to confirm that it works to eliminate the traces of hatred and resentment. The young guides will convey to their congregations a message of peace, love and family unity. They will seek to rescue the values that years of materialistic atheism destroyed.

We know that the struggle for civil rights led by the Rev. Martin Luther King was conceived and developed in the evangelical churches of black communities. These people were brought together by their faith and shared way of life, which enabled them to act as one to fight for full integration into society.

In our country, for decades, they have promoted hatred, violence, and confrontation between people. And so it is commendable to see preachers reclaiming, peacefully and with strength and determination the inherent rights of human beings. To instruct people in education programs and to train people in programs for non-violence forms the future leaders of our community and government.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: