For those who missed today’s protest in New York:
Credit: El Cafe Cubano blog
Protestors in front of the Cuban mission to the United Nations today included Cuban exiles asking only for the right to travel freely to and from their country, and to have the right “to choose to be a normal country.” Fifty years of Castro, they say, has been enough. The protestors maintain that they are not “activists,” per se, and hold differing views on a number of issues on the island. They do agree, however, that the Cuban population itself should have the power and right to be the impulse for change in the country.
The story is here in Spanish.
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Did the protesters call upon the US to end its restrictions of travel to Cuba, which would seem more the human rights point for Americans?
Cuba should allow Cuban American opponents to visit as well, but I suspect that will follow normalization of bilateral relations and the end of regime change fantasies in Washington.
The real issue of the moment is whether the Obama Administration’s review of Cuba policy will lead to general licenses for all non-tourist travel, including Cuban American, educational, religious, humanitarian, cultural, sports, support for the Cuban people, etc.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamacuba/
There were actually two different protests that occurred a few blocks away from each other on the same day: one was a group for democracy in Cuba, seeking change from within the country (theirs is the rally poster); the other was an anti-embargo rally in favor of (yes) free travel, among other things.
Indeed, according to Obama’s campaign promises, loosening of travel restrictions will come long before any consideration of scrapping the embargo. It will be interesting to see how far this will go, as you note. Thank you for directing readers to your important petition.
A further point to consider: a US opening of travel could very possibly lead to imposed limitations by Cuba on travel by the Cuban Americans to whom you refer; dissidence is carefully stifled on the island, and greater numbers on the opposition side would make their suppression more difficult. Currently, the Cuban government prides themselves on being able to say that Cuban emigrants in the United States would be welcomed back to the island except for US policy. But if US policy changed, would they really be welcomed?
Melissa,
Could you send me a list of your credentials?
I have found your blog very useful for a report I am preparing on current developments in Cuba, particularly vis a vis the U.S. This is for a Great Decisions class in our Chico Learning in Retirement organization, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, referred to by the acronym OLLI.
When I quote from your blog I want to be able to credit the source, particularly in view of the disavowal at the bottom of this page from the FPA. Of course I will also cite the sources you use.
Fellow Cubans:
I need your help with a Cuban Human Rights project.
My Dream Assignment is to photograph and tell the stories of the countless Cuban Political Prisoners, who served time in Cuban prisons under the most extreme conditions.
Deadline is April 3rd! Forward to anyone you know and help spread the word. Thanks!!!
VOTE HERE: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/Democracy4Cuba/cuban-political-prisoners-the-untold-stories-of-human-rights-violations/
Best of luck to you.
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