In a telephone interview, Jorge Olivera, journalist for Havana Press, one of the Cuban independent journalists which is being harassed by Cuban paramilitary groups in Havana, narrated his experience to CubaNet.
"On February 8, at about 9:30 in the evening, I was summoned by the zone chief in the area, of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, to appear before them on Sunday, at 10 in the morning. When I went to the meeting, they took me to a location, The Elders' Home, which is close to where I live."
"There were about 12 people, (8 men and 4 women), all of them members of the CDR, of the Rapid Action Brigades and the Communist Party, who started calling me by the worst epithets, even grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me, there was some physical mistreatment. They told me that I was violating the law of sovereignty and Cuban dignity. I replied that that's not they way I understood it, and told them that they should denounce me in a tribunal of "justice".
"They told me that they were going to take justice in their own hands, that the highest governmental authorities had given them such powers. They kept raising their voices and I thought that they would beat me up.
"Upon the end of the meeting, they visited all my neighbors, with the result that some of them even feared to speak to us. I went out to visit and inform my colleagues. When I returned later that night, I found a horrible situation at home, and I was told to leave the house. They told my mother-in-law and my wife that they were not going to admit any counter-revolutionaries in this area.
"I had to put some clothes in a suitcase at such hours and went to a park, and slept on one of its benches last night.
"I have a 4 year-old daughter and can't go back home. I practically don't have any normal relations with my family and my daughter at this time. I can't go back home for fear of what they will do to my family who lives there.
"I'm totally helpless and in financial dire straits.
"My mother-in-law heard that they have planned an act of repudiation for today. I, for trying to avoid problems for my family, left home and now I'm seeking refuge among my colleagues and members of the opposition.
"The neighbors were afraid to talk. They walked by me in fear.
"As far as I'm concerned, I really don't have any fear, I'm just tired of so much persecution. Since 1993, when they fired me from the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, I've been unemployed."
About his situation, Joaquin Torres, director of Havana Press, narrated:
"They wanted to take me too to a Party site, and I told them no way, that I had absolutely nothing to talk about with the Communist Party, and that I wasn't going anywhere. That if they wanted to talk to me they should come to my home.
"The Party official who came to give me the summons told me: "Look, all I want to do is give you a piece of advice".
"I told him: "Look, I take advice from my friends and people who hold me in esteem. If you are talking to me on your own behalf, as a member of this community, to give me counsel, then perhaps I would invite you in my home and listen to your counsel. But if you are here on behalf of a political organization, (let me tell you) I don't accept any advice from a political organization, and even less from the Communist Party."
"The guy got really mad and told me: Then get ready for the consequences". I told him: "I've been responsible for my actions for many, many years".
"The acts of revolutionary re-affirmation and of support of law 80, better known as the muzzle law, will surely turn into acts of repudiation, because they are going to take place close to the homes of the independent journalists.
"In the weekly Tribune they announced today that there will be some acts of re-affirmation and support for such law. At the home of Ana Luisa Lopez Baeza they will do it across from her house. Of course, all they have to do is turn around and start yelling "Down with the worms".
"The problem lies in that we Cubans are quick draws, and quickly turn from the spoken word into action. As I recently stated to CMQ (radio station), here were are also descendants from Maceo. And whoever comes to my house to offend me, I will offend, and whoever slaps me, I will slap.
"Anything can happen, because you have to take into account that the people who take part in these acts of repudiation are ill-bred, just to call it something acceptable. They are the same class of people who sunk the 13th of March tugboat. In this type of activity, anything can happen.
"But there's also a great deal of solidarity. In my street block, where I've been living for many years, as in any other social conglomerate, there are good and bad people, serious and not so serious, but so far many have approached me, those who know of my situation, and said to me: "Joaquin, whatever happens to you, happens to me and I'll stand by you when you need me".
"These are very brave attitudes, which comfort me a great deal. But as you can understand, we can't drag the population into a violent situation.
"As the director of Havana Press, I can tell you that even if only one Cuban in this island needs our information, Havana Press will continue transmitting".