Cuban American Youth “Awakened” Demonstrates Before Organization of American States
By Raíces de Esperanza

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. June 5, 2005— Twenty members of the youth movement Raíces de Esperanza, representing a network of over 30 universities, demonstrated before the XXXV Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) to show their support for their counterparts on the island.

“We represent youths awakening to our supportive role in the future of Cuba. Our purpose is to show our brothers and sisters on the island that we stand by them in their struggle for a better future.” said Verónica Nur Valdés, age 20, a student of Florida International University.

Symbolically dressed in white, the Raíces representatives walked from the corner of 17^th street and US1 to the corner of 17^th and Eisenhower, the designated free speech area across from the Broward Convention Center. This act took place at 11:00am in a salute to the Ladies in White of Cuba, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of political prisoners who bravely march every Sunday at the same time in Havana.

The students then gathered before the convention center for a moment of silence holding “cafeteras” (Cuban coffee makers) as a symbol of their message ¡Despierta! (Wake Up!). The watchword emphasized the movement of their generation as well as the needed “awakening” by the international community to the neglect of human rights on the island and the need for democracy.

“We are here to stress our solidarity for the youth in Cuba, and let them know that this is a global effort and that they are not alone. We stand by them and look forward to the respect of human rights so that one day they can seek justice with their own voices,” said Aramís Pérez age 20, student at Harvard University and Raíces Vice-Chair.

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In Memory of Mario Manuel de la Peña