Chain of fasts in solidarity with Guillermo Fariñas
By Cuban Democratic Directorate
Human rights activists, members of civil society, and political opposition members of various national organizations are fasting and praying in support of Guillermo Fariñas an independent journalist, who is in a critical state of health in the Provincial Hospital Provincial of Santa Clara, due to a hunger strike he began on January 31st demanding free access to the Internet.
Many in the population at large have supported Guillermo Fariñas’ decision to risk his life to demand his rights. Not only members of the opposition, but also family members and neighbors are participating in activities to show support. Below is a partial listing of the fasts that have been carried out in Cuba in solidarity with Fariñas:
June 20, Kilo 8 Prison, Camagüey - The political prisoners in the Kilo 8 Prison of Camagüey carried out a fast in solidarity with Fariñas despite the lack of proper provisions. In a brief telephone call from said prison, Lomberto Hernández, a political prisoner, informed that common prisoners who know of Fariñas’ example of sacrifice also joined the fast. (Source: Fernando Tavares, desde Camagüey)
June 16, Moa, Holguín – various people have participated in fasts from 6am until 6pm in multiple homes, including the home of Silverio Herrera Acosta, located at Calle Camilo Cienfuegos # 124, Moa-centro; the home of Francisco Hernández Cruz, at Antonio Voisin # 25, in the town of Haití Chiquito, Moa; and Wilfredo Legrá Frómetas’ home located at Calle Luís Corona #86, in the town of Pueblo Nuevo. A large group of people also meet daily at the Pedro Luís Boitel # 3 Independent Library at Calle 1ra. No. 9, in the town of Joselillo, Moa, led by Felipe Disnayd Ramos Leiva.
Among the organizations that have participated in these events are the Pedro Luís Boitel, The Cuban Liberal Party, the Elena Mederos Foundation, and some journalists from the Western Free Press Agency, all under the coordination of the Western Democratic Alliance. (Source: Juan Carlos Garcell, APLO / www.cubanet.org)
June 14, Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas – Fifteen members of the opposition attended an event that took place at the headquarters of the Alternative Option Independent Movement (AOIM), located at Calle 22 #1910, between 19 and 21, in which Juan Francisco Martín Linares participated as a special guest. (Source: Oscar Sánchez Madan / www.cubanet.org)
June 13, Nueva Gerona, Isla de Pinos – A 24-hour fast was held at a house located at Calle 8, Staircase 2053, Apartment 3, between E and F, in the town of Micro 70, city of Nueva Gerona. The civil act was carried out by: Sergio Santa Cruz Oviedo, Vladimir Araña Rosa, Goveni Cespedes Martínez, Noel de la Pena Rivera, Ana Berta Julián Méndez, former political prisoner Pedro Reyes Fuentes, Duran de la Pena Rivera, David Pérez Placeres, and independent journalist Carlos Serpa Maceira. The activity was organized by the Julio Tang Texier Independent Library and Civic Cultural Project, Isla de Pinos Human Rights and Territorial Fomentation Foundation, Young Marti Coalition, and the National Executive of the Committee to Assist the Dissidence. (Source: Carlos Serpa Maceira, Agencia Lux Infopress)
June 12, Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas – Eight activists carried out a vigil at the home of Guido Sigler Amaya, a prisoner of conscience, located at Calle 22 #2103A, in Pedro Betancourt. (Source: Oscar Sánchez Madan / www.cubanet.org)
June 10, Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas – Activists from the AOIM continue to carry out a solidarity campaign in all of Matanzas in support of Guillermo Fariñas. José Antonio Pérez Morell, member of the executive board of AOIM, and source of this information, reported that seven activists met at his home located at Calle 23 #1002, between 10 and 12, Pedro Betancourt, and held a vigil for Fariñas (Source: Oscar Sánchez Madan / www.cubanet.org)
June 8, Havana – The provincial delegation of the Pro Human Rights Party of Cuba affiliated with the Andrei Sajarov Foundation (PHRP) held a fast for Guillermo Fariñas on Wednesday, June 8th, from 8am to 8 pm, at the home of Luis González Medina, provincial coordinator of the PHRP. The following people participated in the fast: Luis González Medina, Gilberto Sosa, Félix Camero, Luz Maria Barceló, Alfredo Valdes Cuero, and Luis Ramón Gorrín. The event took place at San José de las Lajas, Calle 40, numero 2906, between 29 and 33. (Source: Luis González Medina, provincial coordinator of the PHRP)
June 7 and 8, Arroyo Naranjo, Habana – Members of the PHRP held a 24-hour fast, informed Lili Santana Barreto of the Women’s Branch of the organization. According to Santana Barreto, the peaceful demonstration took place at the headquarters of the PHRP at Calle Santa Isabel 481 of the Barrio Azul in the municipality of Arroyo Naranjo in Havana. The event went from 8am to 8am on June 7th through the 8th. The activists prayed every 2 hours for the life of Fariñas, and the following activists fasted permanently: Modesto Leopoldo Valdivia Varela, general secretary of functions of the PHRP, Francisco Safuste, Rigoberto Martínez, Adolfo Peraza Rico, Enrique Domínguez, Virginio Rodríguez, and the aforementioned Santana Barreto, all of whom were supported by other members of the opposition. (Source: Roberto Santana Rodríguez, independent journalist)
May 10, Santa Clara – More than a dozen activists from various organizations came together in solidarity with Guillermo Fariñas. Some of the organizations included the Liberal Party of Cuba, the Maceista Movement for Dignity, Independent Democratic Front, Andrei Sajarov Foundation, and the Marta Abreu Feminine Movement, and took place at the home of Idania Llanes Contreras, a human rights activist, at Calle Prolongación de Marta Abreu número 93, between B and C, town of Virginia, in the city of Santa Clara. Orestes Suárez Torres, Noelia Pedraza Jiménez, Lisset del Carmen Zamora Carrandi, Miguel Cabrera León, Rolando García Casadebar, Luis Aragón García, Idania Llanes Contreras, Aramilda Contreras Rodríguez, Bernardo Luis Ascanio Tamargo, Roger Emilio Martínez Angulo, Carlos Rodríguez Jaramillo, and Nancy González García were present at the event. (Source: Ahmet Rodríguez Albacia, Agencia Jóvenes sin Censura)
Send by E-mail |
Printable Version
About the author
Cuban Democratic Directorate
