A Song Honoring Laura Pollan, Lady in White

Lyrics by Jorge Luís Piloto; sung by Amaury Gutiérrez (English translation follows) Laura, Dama de Blanco, te quisieron silenciar y hoy tu voz suena más alto por las calles de la Habana tu energía acompaña a tus hermanas, tu familia esas bravas heroínas con gladiolos en las manos defendiendo los derechos del cubano… Laura, Dama … Continue reading “A Song Honoring Laura Pollan, Lady in White”

The legacy of Laura Pollan, Cuba’s Lady in White / Yoani Sánchez

From the Washington Post Eight years ago, Laura Pollan was a schoolteacher living with her husband, Hector Maseda, the leader of the outlawed Cuban Liberal Party. Despite the vicissitudes of living in a country where association is penalized, the family tried to live a normal life in their small house on Neptune Street in Havana. … Continue reading “The legacy of Laura Pollan, Cuba’s Lady in White / Yoani Sánchez”

The IACHR Asks to Visit Cuba to Review the Situation of the Ladies in White

EFE (via 14ymedio), Washington, 1 October 2022 — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested this Friday that Cuba approve a visit to the country to review the situation of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), to which the agency granted precautionary measures almost ten years ago. The Cuban government, the IACHR alleges … Continue reading “The IACHR Asks to Visit Cuba to Review the Situation of the Ladies in White”

The Procession for Our Lady of Charity Draws a Crowd in Havana

Some with candles, with very few sunflowers, that is how the devotees entered the church of the Virgen de la Caridad de El Cobre on the corner of Manrique and Salud Streets, in Centro Habana. This Thursday, the day on which the Patron Saint of Cuba is celebrated, inflation has also been noted in the … Continue reading “The Procession for Our Lady of Charity Draws a Crowd in Havana”

Cuban Police Detain Several Ladies in White to Block a Protest

14ymedio, Havana, 23 January 2022 — On Sunday, women dressed in plainclothes at the service of State Security detained a group of Ladies in White along with the mothers of some political prisoners, among whom was Bárbara Farrat, the mother of the 17-year-old Jonathan Torres, imprisoned after the protests of the July 11 (11J). “They … Continue reading “Cuban Police Detain Several Ladies in White to Block a Protest”

Cuba’s Ladies in White Show Solidarity With the 11J (July 11th) Detainees

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 3 September 2021 — The leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, joined the fast of other dissidents on Thursday in support of the opponents José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, both former prisoners of the Black Spring of 2003, who were arrested on July 11, the day of the … Continue reading “Cuba’s Ladies in White Show Solidarity With the 11J (July 11th) Detainees”

Cuba’s Ladies in White Win 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty

14ymedio, Havana, 16 April 2018 — The Ladies in White have been awarded the 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty, given every two years by the Cato Institute to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of human freedom, according to a press release published on the website of the American institute. … Continue reading “Cuba’s Ladies in White Win 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty”

Dozens Of Ladies In White Arrested On The 100th Day Of #TodosMarchamos

14ymedio, Havana, 8 May 2017 – At least 38 Ladies in White were arrested this Sunday in Havana, Matanzas, Guantanamo, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara, during the 100th day of the #TodosMarchamos (We All March) campaign for the release of Cuba’s political prisoners. The leader of the group, Berta Soler, was arrested along with … Continue reading “Dozens Of Ladies In White Arrested On The 100th Day Of #TodosMarchamos”

Ladies in White Report the Repression They Suffer to Attorney General

14ymedio, Havana, 2017 — The Ladies of White Yamile Garro Alfonso, Lázara Barbara Sendilla and Maria Cristina Labrada delivered on Monday, as representatives of the whole movement, a summary report to the Attorney General’s Office on the repression they have suffered over the last fifteen months. The leader of the women’s group, Berta Soler, explained to … Continue reading “Ladies in White Report the Repression They Suffer to Attorney General”

Cuba’s Ladies In White Report 50 Arrests This Sunday / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 19 February 2017 — Some fifty Ladies in White were detained this Sunday on the Island, according to members of that dissident organization. Former political prisoner and regime opponent Angel Moya told 14ymedio by phone that Berta Soler had been arrested by members of a State Security operation and the police surrounding her Lawton … Continue reading “Cuba’s Ladies In White Report 50 Arrests This Sunday / 14ymedio”

Another Sunday Of Repression For The Ladies In White / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 12 June 2016 – This Sunday there was, again, a operation around the Ladies in White headquarters in the Lawton area of Havana, organized by the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), State Security agents and civilians called up for Rapid Response Brigades. Lady in White Luisa Ramona Tuscany told 14ymedio via phone that “as … Continue reading “Another Sunday Of Repression For The Ladies In White / 14ymedio”

Ladies in White Headquarters Surrounded by State Security / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma

14ymedio, Orlando Palma, Havana, 18 December 2015 — On Friday morning, the political police surrounded the headquarters of the Ladies in White in the Havana’s Lawton district, blocking entrance to several activists who arrived for the traditional literary tea held every Friday, as confirmed to 14ymedio by Juan Angel Moya, former prisoner of the Black Spring and … Continue reading “Ladies in White Headquarters Surrounded by State Security / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma”

‘El Sexto’ Marches with the Ladies in White This Sunday / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 25 October 2016 — The artist Danilo Maldonado, ‘El Sexto’ (The Sixth), joined 48 Ladies in White during their traditional walk down Fifth Avenue in Havana this Sunday. Released last week after ten months in prison, the graffiti artist accompanied the women and about twenty activists who gathered outside after mass at Santa Rita … Continue reading “‘El Sexto’ Marches with the Ladies in White This Sunday / 14ymedio”

Twelve Ladies in White Arrested Outside Combinado del Este prison / 14ymedio

14ymedio, 1 October 2015 – The regime opponent Martha Beatriz Roque denounced the arrest Thursday of 12 Ladies in White protesting outside the Combinado del Este prison in Havana. The activists presented themselves at the place to complain about the prisoners Ricardo and Ariel Gonzalez Sendiña, sons of the Lady in White Lazara Barbara Sendiña, who … Continue reading “Twelve Ladies in White Arrested Outside Combinado del Este prison / 14ymedio”