The Castro dictatorship fears the power of free expression, so it is no surprise when it targets ordinary Cubans who choose to listen to the music of Cuban underground rap group Los Aldeanos. After all, it fears what might happen if listeners become "infected" with their message.
Most recently, police in Havana and Cienfuegos went to the extreme of stopping motorists who were listening to Los Aldeanos, asking for their driver's licenses and confiscating their CDs, before destroying them.
A source told independent journalist Félix Reyes Gutiérrez that police labeled Los Aldeanos' music as being "rebellious" and "against the principles of the Cuban revolution."
Which means that the regime fears Los Aldeanos' music is about freedom.
Yes, Gorki, but the dictatorship definitely does not like it, and what it represents to a regime as repugnant as the one you challenge with your songs.
Which is why the authorities moved against Gorki and his bandmates on the eve of a planned Havana concert and trip to the United States.
Two news releases on the group's website, now translated into English, tell the story:
Porno Para Ricardo “I Love my CDR” Concert Canceled following Arrests and Threats that Musical Instruments would be Confiscated
NOVEMBER 27, 2010.
The members of Porno Para Ricardo were arrested on Friday, when traveling toward the home of Silvio Benítez (Liberal Party President of the Republic of Cuba) in Punta Brava, to go and leave some of the instruments they were going to use for the concert "I love my CDR. " This concert was scheduled to kick off the tour of the same name.
Ciro Diaz (guitar), Hebert Dominguez (bass) and Claudio Fuentes photographer were taken to the 5th Station of Playa and Gorki Águila (vocals) and William Retureta were taken to the station of Siboney. All were handcuffed and taken in patrol cars to police stations where they were accused of "carrying instruments of dubious origin."
Ten hours later they released them.
The concert scheduled for tonight at 7, will be canceled because the instruments and sound equipment may not be transported and run the risk of being confiscated by the authorities. Gorki Aguila has reported the harassment of a patrol car that follows him everywhere since the announcement of the concert.
Today, Saturday, November 27, Gorki has been cited by authorities at the Immigration Offices, the reasons are still unknown, but it is feared that the subpoena is related to the invitation that the group has received to travel to Los Angeles, California, to a cultural event that will have Polish leader Lech Walesa and Patty Smith scheduled to be present.
Porno Para Ricardo Havana, November 27, 2010.
Porno para Ricardo’s Gorki Águila asks Immigration Police during interrogation: "Why are you so concerned about a small rock group? … It's only rock and roll."
After the arrests suffered by the members of Porno Para Ricardo on Friday, November 26, Gorki Águila (singer and guitarist) was requested to appear on Saturday afternoon at the immigration office for questioning about his music, the concert in Punta Brava and an interview he recently gave to Radio Martí, the questioning was intended to intimidate him with refusing to allow him to leave the country, where the group is in the midst of the process to attend a cultural event in Los Angeles, which will be attended by Lech Walesa and Patty Smith.
When the members of Porno Para Ricardo were arrested, all their belongings were temporarily confiscated. The police erased the footage that the musicians had made of the police harassment and the lyrics of the songs that were in the guitar case of Gorki Aguila.
On the night of November 27, 2010, there was a major operation outside the house of the musician Gorki Águila, in the municipality of Playa. From the balcony of his apartment, you can see the presence of police, state security, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and the Rapid Response Brigades. All these elements have maintained a permanent surveillance and harassment along with open confrontation.
In the interview with the Immigration Police, Gorki Aguila said:
"Why are you so concerned about a small rock group that only plays a few songs to which you have removed all artistic value; why give it so much importance if we are not up in arms? It's only rock and roll. "
Porno Para Ricardo Laura García Freyre, Manager, 28 November 2010
In a true spirit of rock and roll, Cuban punk rocker Gorki Aguila will return to the island next week after 11 months overseas.
That is, if the murdering Castro dictatorship lets him back in.
Aguila, front man for the band Porno Para Ricardo, on Wednesday will be flying from Mexico City to Havana.
When you confront the Castro dictatorship, anything can happen, as Aguila knows from the numerous times he has been arrested by the regime. Adding to the uncertainty is the regime's crackdown on many in the opposition in the wake of the murder of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo.
So he needs your help.
Pay attention, and if the dictatorship keeps him out of the country, or worse, do what Gorki would do and shout it out loud!
Despite having covered the requirements for entry into the country
(payment of monthly renewals to maintain his legal status on the
island), it is feared that Cuban authorities will not consent to his
entering the country or, in carrying out reprisals against him, as in
his detention.
For this reason, we ask all the communications
media their attention and get the word out about Gorki Águila’s return
to Cuba along with any problems that may arise. The disclosure of these
events will be one of the principle defenses for Águila against any kind
of violation of his individual rights.
Gorki and PPR's music takes an acquired taste, but this is my favorite song:
I know it's been out for a few years, but I just finished watching for the first time, "Leyendas ... The Legends of Cuban Music," which pays tribute to the giants of Cuban music over the past 90 years. A must-watch, if you haven't been fortunate to have yet seen this documentary.
One day, punk rocker Gorki Aguila will be deserving of joining that pantheon, if not for his music, then for his courage and humor in standing up and resisting the Castro dictatorship through the raw power of his guitar and his voice.
This interview reveals clearly where he is coming from, and why he is already a legend.
Revolution Square, Havana, on the eve of Juanes' "peace without borders concert (AP photo)
I had never heard of Juanes before he scheduled his "peace without borders" concert for Sunday in Revolution Square in Havana, so I guess the Colombian pop star has already used the event to his advantage. Not that I am about to go out and buy one of his records.
Havana is not a traditional venue for a pop music show — after all, how many Cubans can afford the cost of a typical pop music concert ticket — but more power to Juanes, even if somehow the dictatorship turns the spectacle of a "free" music festival under the visage of Ché Guevara into a propaganda victory for itself. After all, who can be against "peace?"
Well, the Castro dictatorship for one, as more than 50 years of history show.
Let Juanes play his concert. Even let him be used as a tool by a regime whose very essence is contrary to everything music and peace are suppose to be about. If you advocate for free expression, as I do in my professional life and on this blog, you take the stupid with the good.
It should not affect how those of us who would never be caught within earshot of Revolution Square, react to what will happen on Sunday.
I will not castigate Juanes, nor curse him, nor call for crowds to burn his records. That's a bunch of wasted energy, on which the Castro brothers will feed.
Instead, I will take the opportunity he has presented those of us committed to a free Cuba, the attention he has generated for himself and for Cuba, to educate, to advocate on behalf of those Cubans who recognize that the only "border" blocking peace on the island is that placed by a murdering regime against the Cuban people.
As Juanes and the other singers perform, I will be remembering the political prisoners and other Cubans who have dedicated their lives to bringing a true peace to Cuba — a peace with respect for respect for human rights, a peace with justice, a peace with freedom.
That will be much more than Juanes is likely to do for them.
Rock and roll, which in its purest form is all about rebellion, is a powerful weapon against the forces of tyranny. No one knows that better than a tyrant, which apparently is why the latest song by a Cuban band of which previously I had never heard, has been banned from state-run radio. It's called "Mala Leche," and it goes like this:
Jordan Allott, producer/director of "Oscar's Cuba":
"Arguably the best blog regarding Cuba."
The Militant (socialist newspaper):
"A well-known right-wing opponent of the Cuban Revolution."
Jay Nordlinger, National Review:
"A valuable blogger."
A reader from Australia:
"Stop hanging out in Cuban bars in Miami and either go to a decent school or do some reading; either that or stop writing ridiculous articles for your likeminded friends to read."
Marta Darby, www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com:
"Fabulous and astute."
Luis M. Garcia, author and blogger:
"Worth the trip."
Manuel A.Tellechea, author and former blogger:
"In terms of sheer usefulness and commitment, it would be hard to top Marc's Uncommon Sense. Of course ... common sense is better than uncommon sense."
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