UPDATED, May 8, 2010 — Dania Virgen García has been released from jail.
Dania Virgen García
She doesn't know me, but what I do here on Uncommon Sense would not be possible without the efforts of brave Cubans like Dania Virgen Garcia.
I cannot report from Cuba, so I rely on the work of Cuban independent journalists for a lot of what I post here. Many times, I offer little more than crude translations, but even that, I think, is important in helping spread the truth about what is happening in Cuba today. I want to do everything I can to support the work of Cuba's independent journalists, and in doing so, offer them some protection.
A fellow U.S.-based blogger, Carmen Ferreiro, is reporting tonight that García was arrested Friday, April 23, sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison and today sent to the Manto Negro prison. A reason for her detention was not given, but speculation is that García was arrested to block her from showing support for the Damas De Blanco, or "Ladies In White," who have been warned by the authorities to limit their activities on behalf of their imprisoned loved ones.
Similarly, the secret police has increasingly harassed, threatened, etc. other women, like García, who have demonstrated their support for the Damas. Carmen tells me tonight she fears other Damas De Apoyo, or "Ladies In Support," may also be arrested.
In an impassioned plea for the world to take notice of what happened, Carmen recounts how she "met" García and helped her launch her blog. The need to freely report and comment on events and conditions in Cuba today burns brightly in Virgen García, and even has it became increasingly evident in recent days that the Cuban secret police might move on her, she persisted with her work.
Most would wish to do more for García as she sits in a Cuban prison tonight, but at least you can do this: If you have a blog or Twitter feed or Facebook page, spread the news of what happened to her. Or just visit her blog.
It might not seem like much, but it will show the world, and her captors, that she is not forgotten.
Go here to read García's blog. Several recent posts detail the increased harassment she had been receiving from police.
And go here to read, in English, one of her latest reports.
To read Carmen's post in English, go here.
UPDATED, April 29, 2010 -- The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald has details on what may have led to Virgen's imprisonment.
Poster by Rolando Pulido.
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