Uncommon Sense

Mother calls for 'Zapata Lives' marches across Cuba

Reina Luisa Tamayo Danger is calling on all Cubans on the island to ensure that the legacy of her murdered son, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, is not forgotten.

Cuban Democratic Directorate has the details:

Reyna Luisa Tamayo Danger, a member of Cuba's Ladies in White and the mother of murdered Cuban prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo, today called for peaceful marches across all Cuba to keep alive the cause for which her son died.

“I call on the internal opposition movement in Cuba to organize a peaceful march every Sunday. Here in Banes, we march to the cemetery where we then pray and shout 'Zapata Lives!'” stated Tamayo Danger by telephone to Radio Republica.

The “Zapata Lives” marches are being called for by the Rosa Parks Feminist Movement for Civil Rights, and will take place at different locations in Cuba, in addition to the main march in Banes. Tamayo Danger was recently elected president of the Rosa Parks Movement, which was founded by leading human rights activist Yris Tamara Pérez Aguilera.

Scarcely a month after Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death while in the custody of the Castro regime, the “Zapata Lives” marches have already been targeted for repression.

“I have suffered intense repression at the hands of State Security. They say marches cannot be allowed. But with the deep pain I carry of my son being ripped away from me, my little piece of my heart, we are not afraid of them. Therefore, the marches to the cemetery will continue,” stated Tamayo Danger.

Read the whole thing, here.

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For more news about Cuba, Cuban political prisoners and the struggle for freedom on the island, follow me on Twitter at @marcmasferrer

Guards torture Cuban political prisoner by denying him sunlight

Juan Herrera Acosta

Cuban political prisoner Juan Herrera Acosta is a very sick man, suffering various ailments brought on and/or aggravated by his more than seven years as a captive in the Castro gulag. The tortures he has endured are countless.

In the latest example of their brutality towards Herrera, his guards are ignoring doctors' recommendations and denying Herrera any time in the sun, which has only aggravated his condition.

Ever the journalist, Herrera tells his story to Radio Martí.

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For more news about Cuba, Cuban political prisoners and the struggle for freedom on the island, follow me on Twitter at @marcmasferrer

Cuban dissident vows to stay on hunger strike until his death (UPDATED)

Franklin Pelegrino del Toro

At least three Cuban dissidents — Guillermo Fariñas, Darsi Ferrer and perhaps the least recognized of the trio, Franklin Pelegrino del Toro — are currently on hunger strike as a protest against the Castro dictatorship.

In a vow similar to Fariñas', Pelegrino del Toro renewed his pledge to take his protest to his death if the regime does not meet his demands and release political prisoners from its jails.

And like Fariñas, Pelegrino del Toro is not asking for anything for himself.

And like Fariñas, Pelegrino del Toro's life is in danger.

"I am asking for the release of these brothers who are ill," said Pelegrino del Toro, who began his hunger strike more than a month ago.

Pelegrino del Toro is receiving liquids and other nourishment via an IV, but his protest is taking its toll on his body. He told Radio Martí he is suffering from muscle aches, chest pains, headaches and deafness.

UPDATED, April 1, 2010 — Diario del Cuba, the source of the photo above, has more.

'Cuba is a human cause'

From Sunday's rally in Los Angeles:

Hunger strike leaves Darsi Ferrer in poor health

Dr. Darsi Ferrer

The effects of a hunger strike Cuban political prisoner Dr. Darsi Ferrer started on March 20 have started to take their toll on his body.

Fainting spells. Muscle aches. The loss of more than 10 pounds.

That is what Ferrer — a physician, journalist and human rights activist imprisoned since July 2009 with no formal charges filed — is suffering as he protests and demands that the Castro dictatorship respect his rights.

"He is on strike demanding needed dental care, as well as a formal hearing," said Ferrer's wife, Yusnaimy Jorge Soca. "A trial through legal channels should have been held long ago if he is in fact guilty of the charges he has been accused of.

Ferrer, a long-time vocal critic of the Castro regime, was arrested last summer. No formal charges have been filed, but he reportedly has been accused of illegally possessing construction materials acquired on the black market. His home had been damaged during an earlier police raid.

Other activists argue Ferrer is being punished because of his anti-government activism.

Ferrer is one of at least three Cuban dissidents currently on hunger strike.

One of the other protesters, Guillermo Fariñas, earlier this week was reported to be on the verge of a "major complication" that may kill him.

Dagni Pérez Rodríguez, Cuban Political Prisoner of the Week, 3/28/10

This post will remain at the top of the page through Friday, events allowing. To read newer posts, scroll down.

This is a revised version of an earlier post.

Dagni Pérez Rodríguez — at 18, reportedly the youngest political prisoner in Cuba — has started a hunger strike, according to Radio Martí.

Pérez, a member of the Central Opposition Coalition, started his protest March 19 after he was placed in a punishment cell at Pre-tensado prison in Villa Clara. He had earned the ire of his captors after he began shouting slogans in support of the Damas De Blanco, or "Ladies In White," which last week held a series of protest marches demanding the release of Cuban political prisoners.

Guards immediately grabbed Pérez, beat him and threw him in the prison's "hole."

Pérez has been imprisoned since March 5, when he was sentenced to 3 months in jail on a charge "damaging state property."

Taking a break

When the history of how Cuba became free is written, events of the past month — the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Guillermo Fariñas' hunger strike and the bravery of a group of women dressed in white — will make up a pivotal chapter. It has been an amazing moment in Cuban history, and it has been a privilege to do my small part to tell that story.

I plan to continue plugging away, doing my part, convinced more than ever that my efforts and that of others spreading the word about what is happening in Cuba will not be in vain.

But first, I'm going to take a short breather, to clear my head and to re-charge my batteries. It will only be for a few days or so.

Until I return, please make yourself familiar with some of my primary sources to keep up with events. They include Payo Libre, Diario de Cuba, Cubanet, Miscelaneas de Cuba and Martinoticias. You can find the links under "News from Cuba on the left side bar.

And if you haven't yet, visit the right sidebar and read about Cuba's political prisoners.

It is for them and for their families and for a free Cuba my meager efforts are dedicated.

Fariñas trying to fight off infection

Cuban health care is doing no favors for Guillermo Fariñas, and perhaps that is by design.

A high fever and intestinal cramping that doctors first thought was due to a blood infection has now been traced to a contaminated IV being used provide Fariñas with vitamins and other nutrients as he continues a hunger strike he started Feb. 24, according to Europa Press.

But in a decision that raises questions about their intent, doctors are continuing with their course of treatment as they await the results of further tests.

Fariñas also is staying on course, vowing to continue his protest until the Castro dictatorship meets his demand and releases 26 seriously ill political prisoners.

Cuba dissident's hunger strike leaves him weakened

Guillermo Fariñas is not the only Cuban freedom activist outside of prison on hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners.

Franklin Peregrino del Toro has been on hunger strike since Feb. 28 in the town of Cacocún in Holguín province. According to a report posted at Payo Libre, his protest has left Peregrino del Toro seriously ill with fever, pains, nausea and cardiac problems.

Read more, here.

Peace and freedom take flight in Cuba

A dove released by the Ladies in White, a group made up of family members of imprisoned dissidents, flies away during a protest march in Havana March 25, 2010. (Reuters photograph)