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Activists commemorate Cuba's independence
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Cuba, May 24th, 2006. Activists from different regions of Cuba gathered to commemorate May 20, anniversary of Cuba’s independence.

A group of activists from the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy met at the home of Julián Antonio Monés Borrero, director of information and press for CYMD, where the Independent Library “20 de mayo” was founded.

“This has driven youth to read and many students, mostly professionals visit us daily. We have a variety of literature that they have wanted to borrow in order to use them more thoroughly in school and in the workplace, alhtough they know that these places are under constant watch, they have commented to me that they do not fear them, that they will sacrifice themselves because this struggle belongs to those who sacrifice themselves,” declared Monés Borrero from Baracoa.

On May 19th in Manzanillo, State Security agents attempted to impede activities in commemoration of May 20th. Dissidents Berta Ríos Cardó, Lázaro Vidal García, and Lady in White Matilde Jerez Guevara were cited and threatened by State Security agents Orlando Escalona Quintana, César Debin, Joendy, and Ernesto Morales. Despite these threats and according to Tania de la Torre, the activity was carried out and “they remembered Jose Marti’s death, sang the national anthem, and observed a moment of silence for Cuban political prisoners.”

In Bayamo, the young group of Plantados Hasta la Libertad y la Democracia held a meeting presided by Yoandris Montes Aviles. According to independent journalist Fernando Tabares, the importance of Jose Marti’s legacy was evaluated and his example was passed on to new generations. Gabriel Díaz Sánchez, who also participated in the event commented, “Many of the participants noted the historical significance of this date because it is when the Republic was proclaimed, and also because it marks how far the Cuban opposition has come since it met exactly one year ago. It serves as a motivation so that the struggle for a free Cuba gains more sympathizers every day.”

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