If any of these questions trouble you, then this essay is meant for you.
For you who are outraged, but don't know what to do. For you who are apathetic, but feel uncomfortable with such statements. For you who have never heard about Cuba, or its tragic circumstances. This essay is meant for you.
There is hope.
Tens of thousands of Cubans have suffered inside of Castro's prisons for political reasons. For the past four decades Cuba's freethinkers have been free to think, and talk only in brutal prisons. However, out of these prisons there has been a rebirth of spirit and hope amid all the misery and torture. The Cuban Committee for Human Rights, and much of the democratic opposition, was formed in prison and tempered by its brutality.
Men and women inside of Cuba have been organizing for democracy and human rights. They need your help. They don't ask for much. Let others know about them. The more people know about these brave dissidents the more difficult it is for the Cuban government to abuse them. Speak up on behalf of those who have no voice.
Currently there are over a thousand prisoners of conscience, and thousands more who are political prisoners. Two of these prisoners are Armando Alonso Romero and Leonel Morejon Almargo.
Armando Alonso Romero left his job as an officer in the Cuban merchant fleet to join the Cuban Committee For Human Rights (CCFHR) in the late 80's. He worked with the Cuban committee - a peaceful human rights organization - until he came to the United States in 1991. He continued his collaboration with the CCFHR from Miami, where he lived with his wife and daughter.
In April 1993 Armando Alonso returned to Cuba "illegally" to collect on-site reports of human rights violations, and was arrested by the Cuban secret police. After months of isolation in Villa Marista - the headquarters of the secret police in Havana - Alonso was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the crimes of "enemy propaganda" and "illegal entry". He is enduring terrible living conditions, and is in poor health.
Leonel Morejon Almargo sacrificed his legal career in the cause of freedom. One of the organizers of Naturpaz(Nature-peace), an enviromental group that was prohibited by the Cuban government. In 1991, he was detained by Cuban State Security for organizing a peaceful demonstration in front of the UNESCO office in Havana to protest the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the environmental destruction it caused. In 1995, he became the General Secretary of Corriente Agramontista a group of courageous jurists pursuing the independence of the judicial system and the rule of law in Cuba. He was dismissed from work because of his defense of numerous political prisoners in court. Between December 1995 and February 1996 he was arrested nine times for practicing the fundamental rights of free speech and freedom of assembly.
Leonel Morejon Almargo played a decisive role in the coordination of Concilio Cubano, a coalition of over 100 peaceful pro-democracy organizations inside of Cuba. This coalition came into being on October 10 with the signing of the Official Declaration of Concilio Cubano. Morejon was one of the signers. Leonel Morejon wrote the Official Statement of Concilio Cubano concerning the event scheduled for February 24, 1996, requesting a permit for a public, peaceful assembly during February 24, 25 ,26 and 27. Morejon was elected to the National Secretariat of Concilio Cubano, and later was elected National Delegate. On February 18th he was arrested under the charges of civil disobedience and resisting arrest. On February 23 he was sentenced to six months in prison. An apellate court increased his sentence to 14 months. Leonel Morejon Almargo has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
These are just two examples of thousands of men and women willing to risk their careers, families, and lives for the cause of freedom. The least we can do is acknowledge their sacrifice, spread their message and demand that their rights as human beings be respected.
On January 28, 1997 at 7pm in GC 140 you are invited to listen to the men and women who have served, in some cases, decades in Castro's prisons for their "crime" of having struggled for freedom. You are also invited to do your part by signing and distributing petitions in support of the immediate release of both Armando Alonso and Leonel Morejon.