Search results for: Civic March For Change

Radio Netherlands: Controversial Cuban Blogger Answers Tough Questions / Yoani Sanchez

For over a decade, the Cuban government refused to allow one of the world’s best known bloggers, Yoani Sánchez, to travel abroad. When Havana finally loosened travel restrictions for Cuban citizens, Sánchez was one of the first to take advantage of the change, embarking on an 80-day 10-nation tour. One of the countries she visited … Continue reading “Radio Netherlands: Controversial Cuban Blogger Answers Tough Questions / Yoani Sanchez”

A Spent Word / Fernando Damaso

The word “people” is widely used by politicians, mainly by those who are leftists or populists. Phrases such as the power of the people, the people decide, the people command, the people’s opinion, the people aroused, the people condemn, the people support and many others are seen and heard with great frequency. For these politicians the … Continue reading “A Spent Word / Fernando Damaso”

Two Trips to Give Thanks / Henry Constantin

The professor enters the classroom and reads the blackboard. Who wrote this? I raise my hand and she looks at me with a certain threat while she thinks. The entire lecture hall of journalism, second year, expectant. On the blackboard, with chalk and my handwriting “Do you know who is the Cuban nominated for the … Continue reading “Two Trips to Give Thanks / Henry Constantin”

Extensive Interview on Cuban Politics: Past, Present and Future / Miriam Celaya

In late December, the journalist Pablo Mendez asked me for an interview for the digital space Cubanet, which was posted on January 4 this year. I am taking the liberty of reproducing it in this blog for my regular readers, while I record my thanks to both the journalist and the animators of Cubanet for … Continue reading “Extensive Interview on Cuban Politics: Past, Present and Future / Miriam Celaya”

Paya’s Funerals / Mario Barroso #Cuba

I always had the dream of getting to know that worker whose speech on receiving the Sakharov prize I heard live from Hapsburg, vibrant with excitement thanks to the magic of radio. I never thought of a future post-Castro Cuba with Payá physically absent. Much less did I imagine it on that Sunday morning of … Continue reading “Paya’s Funerals / Mario Barroso #Cuba”

Misleading Balancing Act / Miriam Celaya

At first glance, it would seem that nothing changes in Cuba. The system seems to gently continue down its inexorable march toward a crash that, nevertheless, doesn’t seem to ever arrive, just like the future promised by the defunct revolution. People continue to do everything related to the three national occupations of the highest priority: … Continue reading “Misleading Balancing Act / Miriam Celaya”

First Anniversary of the Death of Laura Pollán / Yoani Sanchez

Of short stature, with blue eyes and a firm voice, Laura Pollán was for years one of the most visible faces in Cuba of the Ladies in White. A teacher by profession and a civic activist by choice, she participated in the creation and strengthening of the most important dissident group on the island today. This … Continue reading “First Anniversary of the Death of Laura Pollán / Yoani Sanchez”

Voices Magazine No. 16: Tribute to Oswaldo Paya / Tracey Eaton

Four days before Oswaldo Payá was killed, I drove past the exact spot where his rented blue Hyundai slammed into a tree. I didn’t find out about the crash until I was en route to Florida on July 22. I had known Payá for many years and was saddened to hear of his death. Quiet … Continue reading “Voices Magazine No. 16: Tribute to Oswaldo Paya / Tracey Eaton”

The Papal Mantle and The Red Mass – Reflections on the Pope’s Visit to Cuba / Yoani Sanchez

The miter leans slightly with the rhythm of the ritual, leaving his back exposed to the stone face of José Martí. On the table of the Mass, the chalice rests and reflects from its golden surface a relief of Che Guevara mounted on the facade of the Ministry of the Interior. Benedict XVI officiates mass … Continue reading “The Papal Mantle and The Red Mass – Reflections on the Pope’s Visit to Cuba / Yoani Sanchez”

Rio Verde Declaration / Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez

Members and officers of the Orlando Zapata National Civic Resistance Front, meeting this Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Havana’s Rio Verde neighborhood, agreed by unanimous consensus to publish our full, open and unconditional support of two indisputable leaders of the Resistance, victims of a dirty and cunning maneuver of the Castro regime and its sinister … Continue reading “Rio Verde Declaration / Jorge Luis García Pérez Antunez”

Citizen Demand for Another Cuba – 536 Signatures and Counting

Citizen Demand for Another Cuba As Cubans, legitimate children of this land and an essential part of our nation, we feel a deep sorrow at the prolonged crisis that we are experiencing and the demonstrated inability of the current government to make fundamental changes. This obliges us, from civil society, to seek and demand our … Continue reading “Citizen Demand for Another Cuba – 536 Signatures and Counting”

Our Poverty In Material Things… and in Phone Service 

/ Yoani Sánchez
, Voices Magazine N. 15

Only since March of 2008 have Cuban citizens living on the island been able to contract for cellphone service. Before that it was the exclusive privilege of trusted officials and foreigners living on or passing through the island. With the ingenuity that characterizes us, we managed to skirt such difficult obstacles. It was not uncommon … Continue reading “Our Poverty In Material Things… and in Phone Service 

/ Yoani Sánchez
, Voices Magazine N. 15”

For Another Cuba – Citizen Demand for Another Cuba

Citizen Demand for Another Cuba As Cubans, legitimate children of this land and an essential part of our nation, we feel a deep sorrow at the prolonged crisis that we are experiencing and the demonstrated inability of the current government to make fundamental changes. This obliges us, from civil society, to seek and demand our … Continue reading “For Another Cuba – Citizen Demand for Another Cuba”

AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? / IntraMuros

AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? “You are and must be the sovereigns of your own personal and national history.” (John Paul II, Cuba 1998) The two visits of the Popes of the Catholic Church, are milestones that show the step forward of Cuban civil society. Cuba has changed, not only and … Continue reading “AFTER THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO CUBA, WHAT? / IntraMuros”

Solidarity with Rafael / Miriam Celaya

An open letter is circulating around the web these days. The letter was written by cinematographer Ismael de Diego and addressed to Camilla Vallejo, the Chilean communist student who recently visited Cuba as a guest of the Union of Young Communists. Of course, we Cubans don’t know what sources of income the organization might have … Continue reading “Solidarity with Rafael / Miriam Celaya”