Augusto Monge, President of the Free Cuba Foundation speaks on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

Free Cuba Foundation in Action

1993

Free Cuba Foundation(FCF) Protests against both the Mexican and Brazilian government's deportation of Cuban refugees.
Targeted Cuban government's price gouging policies dealing with humanitarian aid.
Released study that quantified the Cuban government's price gouging policies dealing with humanitarian aid.
Free Cuba Foundation opens 1st chapter at Florida International University.

1994

FCF represents Cuban exile youth on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in support of the U.S. Embargo.
Articles published in conservative student papers: Florida Review, Florida Eagle, and the Texas Eagle.
FCF incorporated in the state of Florida
FCF challenged the Cuban Research Institute's (CRI) history of promoting Marxism
Hosted Leadership Institute Student Publication School at Florida International University.
Broadcast into Cuba over Voice of the C.I.D. after the August 5th uprisings in Havana, and during the rafter crisis
Confronted Latin American and U.S. leaders on Cuba policy positions at the Summit of the Americas.

1995

Free Cuba Foundation opens second chapter at University of Miami.
FCF participates in Parliament of the Youth with other young exile groups over AM Radio.
Opposed Clinton's drift towards normalization of relations with Cuba.
Engaged in fasts and vigils in front of the Miami Herald.
Traveled to Washington D.C. and demonstrated in front of the White House.
Criticized poor policing of the Embargo
FCF participates in the Flotilla to honor those who died on July 13, 1994 in a massacre.
FCF Co-hosted the Leadership Institute's Leadership school at Florida International University.
FCF webmaster Carlos M. Diaz sets up WWW site.

1996

FCF Assists support group for Concilio Cubano in setting up Press Center
FCF Begins Campaigns For the Liberation of Cuban Political Prisoners
FCF Founds Thomas P. Ray Lecture Series
FCF Holds Candlelight vigils at UM and FIU after the tragedies of Feb. 24
FCF Denounces planned shutdown of Miami International Airport and participates in the flotilla to honor pilots who perished on Feb. 24
FCF holds a conference at FIU to honor the memory of the students who fought and perished on March 13, 1957 in their struggle for democracy
FCF calls for greater vigilance in the defense of civil liberties.
FCF holds a series of seminars on Cuban history.
Adolpho Rivero Carro provided a detailed lecture on the origins and development of the Cuban Communist Party.
FCF hosts a 30 piece Salsa band as part of the Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Luis Aguilar Leon provided an overview of Cuban History on October 31, 1996.
FCF holds a lecture honoring the life of Antonio Maceo on December 7, 1996 the 100th anniversary of his death in battle.

1997

FCF commemorates the birth of Jose Marti on January 28 with the honoring of Cuban political prisoners, who like Jose Marti suffered imprisonment for remaining firm in their convictions.
FCF Announces the formation of the International Committee to Defend the Life and Liberty of Armando Alonso Romero.
On February 24, 1997 at 3:20 pm the FCF led the call for a prayer chain to honor the memory of the 4 young men who died one year earlier trying to save the lives of others. Armando, Carlos, Mario y Pablo Viven!
FCF participates in the planting of a tree at Florida International University to honor the memory of the 4 martyrs of Feb. 24, 1996. Jose Basulto and members of the family participated along with the University Community.
FCF hosts a conference at FIU titled: 13 de Marzo - Reflections from Youth for the Liberation of Cuba- 40 Years of Struggle: A New Approach
On March 23, 1997 FCF participates in the Amnesty International Human Rights Fair at FIU.
On April 18, 1997 FCF ended its activities for the Spring Semester by asking the question: "Why Does Nobody Listen?"
On July 30, 1997 FCF joins a coalition of young Cuban organizations in declaring our solidarity with democratic youth in Cuba.
On August 30, 1997 FCF joins a coalition of young Cubans in a journey of light and hope carrying a torch, made in Cuba by dissidents, from Key West to Miami.

On September 23, 1997 Xavier Utset, FCF and HRAC, holds a press conference to announce Russian support for Armando Alonso Romero.
On October 4, 1997 the Cuban Intergenerational Encounter is held at Florida International University. FCF is one of several groups that organized the event.
FCF supports Gloria Estefan's defense of free speech.
On October 30, 1997 the FREE CUBA Foundation honors independent journalists in the pages of the Miami New Times.
On November 24, 1997 the FREE CUBA Foundation remembers Jorge Mas Canosa.
On December 10, 1997 the FREE CUBA Foundation co-sponsors a human rights conference at Florida International University.
On December 23, 1997 the FREE CUBA Foundation remembers the passing of a great exemplar of Cuban patriotism: Sebastian Arcos Bergnes.

1998

On January 17, 1998 members of the FREE CUBA Foundation travel to Rome to denounce human rights abuses in Cuba at a conference hosted by Cuba Libera.
During the Pope's visit to Cuba Omar Clemente, Susana Mendiola, Viviana Mendiola, Xavier Utset, and John Suarez hold a solidarity fast for the members of the Pro-Human Rights Party in Cuba who have been fasting for over 100 days protesting arbitrary imprisonment and harrasment.
From January 28, 1998 through January 30,1998 the FREE CUBA Foundation holds a three day conference titled: Gandhi, King, and Marti: Brothers in Thought exploring the commonalities of the three.
On February 20, 1998 the Free Cuba Foundation signed the Democracy Accord with over 70 organizations inside and outside of Cuba at Florida International University.
On February 24, 1998 at 3:21 pm the FCF formed a chain of silence, and left white roses under the tree planted in to honor the 4 young men who died two years earlier trying to save the lives of others. Armando, Carlos, Mario y Pablo Viven!
On March 13, 1998 the one year anniversary of the signing of the FIU Declaration the FREE CUBA Foundation announces that it will collect student signatures to demonstrate the FIU student body's support. One of the first signers is Carlos Becerra, President of the Student Government Association at FIU representing over 20,000 students.
On March 23, 1998 ¡yara! goes online
On March 25, 1998 at 6:30pm the FREE CUBA Foundation co-hosted a debate titled "Is it Time to Reconsider U.S. Policy Towards Cuba?"
On April 27, 1998 the winning essay from the Gandhi, King, and Marti: Brothers in Thought Essay Contest is published in EL Nuevo Herald.
On June 4, 1998 the Free Cuba Foundation and Students for a Free Tibet issued a joint statement to honor the students who sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy in Tiananmen Square.
FCF forms a new committee and creates an interactive site:The Call to Demand Justice for the Victims of the "13 de Marzo" Massacre

On July 13, 1998 FCF organized a "Silent Call for Justice" for the victims of the "13 de Marzo" Massacre. Members of the Free Cuba Foundation and the FIU community formed a silent chain around the main fountain and remembered the victims of that brutal crime.
FCF collaborates with Amnesty International , Students for a Free Tibet, and SOC to present a Human Rights Film Series throughout the Fall '98 semester.
FCF collaborates with the Directorio Revolucionario Democratico Cubano to hold a number of events in Barcelona, Spain in the first week of September.
On September 1, 1998 the Free Cuba Foundation formed Committee in Support of Justice for Joachim Løvschall a Danish tourist shot to death by Cuban State Security.
On October 1, 1998 FCF signs a document denouncing the exploitation of Cuban workers.
On October 10, 1998 , the 130th anniversary of the "Grito de Yara" the Free Cuba Foundation, along with 11 other organizations published a half page ad in Diario de las Americas honoring and remembering all the patriots who have fallen confronting tyranny, and reaffirmed our obligation and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the internal oppostion who today struggle to reconquer for all a free Cuba.
On October 11, 1998 members of FCF finally meet with ex-political prisoner Armando Alonso Romero whose release FCF had campaigned for over a year and a half in numerous countries and continents.
On October 22, 1998 the Free Cuba Foundation, Association of People of African Ancestry and Culture, and WUFI - Radio station co-hosted a concert by Algo Nuevo, a band that plays traditional Cuban 'Son' and has opened for acts such as Jon Secada and Nil Lara.
On December 10, 1998 the Free Cuba Foundation co-hosts a Human Rights Conference at Florida International University on the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On December 22, 1998 one year after the death of Sebastian Arcos Bergnes the Free Cuba Foundation issues a silent call for justice putting into historical context the human rights situation in Cuba, calling on all people of good will to remember the victims of the regime, and to do what they can to see that justice is done.

1999

On January 1, 1999 on the 40th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution FCF reflects on whether the struggle against dictatorship in Cuba is a lost cause.
On January 28, 1999 FCF commemorates the birth of Jose Marti by organizing a lecture by ex-political prisoner, plantada, and Author Ana Lazara Rodriguez at Florida International University.
On February 20, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation observed the signing of the Democracy Accord with over 70 organizations inside and outside of Cuba one year earlier at Florida International University in a conference organized by FCF, Alianza de Jovenes Cubanos and the Directorio Revolucionario Democratico Cubano. Zofia Romaszewska and Irene Lasota both members of the Polish Solidarity workers movement were on hand to offer their support and insight. As was Senator Jorge Galvan Moreno a member of Mexico's Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) as well as other dignitaries.
On February 24, 1999 at 3:21 pm the FCF joined with the families of Armando, Carlos, Mario and Pablo and formed a seven minute chain of silence coinciding with the span of time in which both planes were shot down.
Afterwards family members left white roses under the tree planted in their memory to honor the the 4 young men who died three years earlier trying to save the lives of others. Armando, Carlos, Mario y Pablo Viven!

On March 19, 1999 Christian Løvschall,father of murdered tourist Joachim Løvschall, is invited to Miami by the Free Cuba Foundation and holds a press conference demanding justice for his son.
On March 23, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation announces its support for the passage of a resolution by the City of Miami in support of freedom for Tibet.
On March 29, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation co-sponsors an International Human Rights Film Festival with Amnesty International-FIU, Association of People of African Ancestry and Culture , and Students for a Free Tibet.
On March 29, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation hosted a candlelight vigil at Florida International University to observe the second anniversary of the gunning down of Joachim Løvschall by Cuban State Security. Letters from family and friends were read aloud and a moment of silence observed.

On March 30, 1999 FCF is accused of "formenting the overthrow of the Cuban government" in a letter to the editor of the Miami Herald.
On April 8, 1999 the Association of People of African Ancestry and Culture honors the Free Cuba Foundation for its work with APAAC.
On April 16, 1999 FCF officers attend the speech given by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and deliver two letters. One from a Cuban dissident, and the other from the Free Cuba Foundation.
On May 3, 1999 the Miami Herald publishes FCF's response to a letter to the editor criticizing it proclaiming, "Foundation's goal: Ensure respect for human rights."
On June 4, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation issued a statement to honor the students who sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy in Tiananmen Square ten years ago.
On June 7, 1999 FCF gathered signatures from FIU students who support the 40 day fast taking place in Cuba at Tamarindo 34.
On July 13, 1999 the Free Cuba Foundation organized a 24 hour fast on the 5th anniversary of the July 13, 1994 tugboat massacre in which 41 men, women, and children were massacred. Psalms 104, and 103 were read simultanteously with Tamarindo 34 at 6am and at 6pm. At 12 noon FIU students joined hands in a circle and engaged in a 5 minute moment of silence to remember the 5 years that have passed without justice being done, or even the victims remains being returned to their families.
August 1999 FCF sets up magazine stands at FIU to distribute issues of ¡yara!
On Friday, September 24, 1999 FCF issues a call for tolerance and an end to the politicization of the arts in the pages of the Miami New Times and the FIU student newspaper, the Beacon.
On October 27, 1999 FCF members visit New College in Sarasota and deliver a presentation on the Free Cuba Foundation, the human rights situation in Cuba, and the ongoing struggle of the democratic opposition.
Free Cuba Foundation supports Corriente Martiana's campaign to restart Cuba's traditional 3 Kings Holiday.
On November 11, 1999 following a nationwide crackdown on the democratic opposition in Cuba FCF condemns the actions of the regime demanding the liberation of all political prisoners, and the ending of the ideological apartheid in Cuba's educational system.
On December 10, 1999 the FREE CUBA Foundation co-sponsors a human rights conference at Florida International University. FCF gives a presentation on the Joachim Lovschall case and its progress.
Free Cuba Foundation notes the passing of Tony Bryant, former black panther and anti-Castro activist, who in the last few years rejected violence in favor of non-violence.
On December 29, 1999 at 9am FCF held a mini-symposium on Cuba for university students. Guest lecturers included Frank Calzon, Janisett Rivero, and Sebastian Arcos Cazabon.

2000

FCF celebrates the bravery and courage of Vietnamese pilot Ly Tong who flew over Havana distributing 50,000 pamphlets in an act of solidarity with the Cuban people.
On January 17 FCF demands that the Cuban government free independent journalist Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona and return the toys State Security confiscated so they can be distributed to poor Cuban children as planned in the Millenium's Three Wise Men Project which was first conceived in Cuba in 1992.
FCF's campaign to expose the hypocrisy of the Cuban government in the Arroyo case is aired in the Miami New Times under the heading:Cuba's Own Toy Story
On January 28 FCF commemorates the birth of Jose Marti by organizing a symposium on race matters in Cuba with the Association of People of African Ancestry and Culture. Omar Lopez Montenegro issues the keynote speech.
On February 20 FCF observed the anniversary of the signing of the Democracy Accord with at Florida International University in a conference organized by FCF, Agenda Cuba and the Directorio Revolucionario Democratico Cubano.
In the early morning hours of February 24, 2000 students from American University, Catholic University, and Georgetown University signed the Washington Consortium Declaration announcing the formation of the Free Cuba Foundation - Washington Consortium.
On February 24 at 3:21 pm the FCF formed two chains of silence, one at FIU's main fountain and another in Washington DC in front of the Department of Justice. Afterwards FCF (FIU) members left white roses under the tree planted in memory of the 4 young men who died four years earlier trying to save the lives of others. FCF (DC) delivered a formal communication to Attorney General Reno demanding justice. Meanwhile members of FCF(DC) marched in a picket line for the next few hours demanding justice. Armando, Carlos, Mario y Pablo Viven!
On March 1 members of the Free Cuba Foundation - Washington Consortium gather signatures at American University for petitions demanding the immediate release of journalist Victor Rolando Arroyo, and Doctor Oscar Elias Biscet. With signatures in hand they raise the issue of human rights, and these particular cases at a symposium in American University in which a representative of the Cuban Interests Section is present.
On March 13 members of the Free Cuba Foundation from Florida International University and the Washington Consortium met to discuss the significance of this date in Cuban history, and the need to pursue a strategy based in the principles of non-violence.
March 16-18, 2000 Members of the Free Cuba Foundation distributed human rights literature relating to Cuba, and copies of La Patria es de Todos in the XXII International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association. Members also confronted Cuban 'academics' in question and answer periods challenging the Cuban government's positions.

On April 18 FCF members and friends hold a protest adjacent to the Cuban Mission in New York City. The protest highlighted the case of Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina a student dissident leader, in prison for attempting to initiate university reform and academic freedom. The participants carried posters that read: Castro Jails Students- Restore Academic Freedom- Free Political Prisoners- Call the Cuban Mission and demand freedom for Nestor Lobaina.
On April 22 after becoming aware of the terrible event that had occurred in the early morning hours in Miami various FCF members in from FIU in New York at the time participated in a spontaneous protest. A march ensued from the Cuban Mission to the UN to the United Nations Headquarters several hundred people from the region participated.
On Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30pm over a thousand Cubans peacefully marched together from Ocean Drive to the border of the Holocaust Memorial in remembrance of the 936 Jewish, men, women, and children sent back to Nazi Germany in 1939 after being denied asylum by both Cuba and the United States. We prayed to God, and asked for his forgiveness at committing such a horrific act. The march was organized by members of the Free Cuba Foundation.
On May 17 at 7pm FCF held a workshop on Cuba for university students and members of the community. Guest lecturers included Orlando Gutierrez, Ana Carbonell, Kelly Chancy, Sebastian Arcos Cazabon, and John Suarez. The event was moderated by FCF president Helen Castro.
On Sunday, May 21 the Free Cuba Foundation along with the Alliance of Young Cubans, and the Directorio Revolucionario Democratico Cubano organized a Freedom walk for political prisoners.
On June 2 the Free Cuba Foundation showed a short film following it a vigil was held by the FCF in remembrance of the students massacred in Tiananmen Square 11 years ago. Fliers were distributed throughout Miami with the headline Remember June 4th!
On July 13 the sixth anniversary of the "13 de Marzo" massacre the Free Cuba Foundation formed a circle of silence at our main fountain to remember the victims of the massacre and the six years that have passed without justice.
FCF joined with more than a dozen exile organizations to form the July 13th Ad hoc Committee which was headquartered out of 7175 SW 8 ST. Suite. 217.
At 6pm on July 13 200 of us marched from the Coconut Grove Convention Center to our Our Lady of Charity (La Ermita de la Caridad carrying a black coffin with "13 de Marzo" in white letters on the side. Forty-one of the participants carried each a photo of one of the victims. Arriving at the church children greeted us with white balloons later released into the air.
On July 23rd FCF joined Impeach Reno Now in hosting a Freedom Rally in Miami along with New Generation Cuba, Judicial Watch, and others demanding that the rule of law and Constitutional principles be respected and followed not trashed as they had been by Reno on April 22nd.
On August 15th FCF holds a press conference in which awards of shame winners are announced. The awards receive wide coverage in the local media.
On August 16 FCF coordinator's letter to the editor Awards for a 'shameful chapter of American history' is published in the Washington Times
On September 29 FCF joined together with the Haitian Grass Roots Organization in the goal of "allowing all refugees and immigrants who reach our shores or are intercepted at sea the right to petition the US Court system for asylum, regardless of what country they are from."
On October 22 at 7pm Helen Castro, President of FCF-FIU organized the showing of the Adios Patria documentary.
On November 15 the FCF held a conference at George Washington University The Cuban Opposition and Human Rights
Free Cuba Foundation was one of the sponsors of the 12th Annual Conservative Leadership Conference which was held in Alexandria, Virginia. We distributed literature, and presented documentation on the internal opposition and the human rights situation in the island. The conference took place on November 16, 17, and 18.
On November 18 Evelyn Yllada organized the first FCF dance, Una Noche de Salsa y Aché at The Knights of Columbus Hall in Coral Gables.
On December 10 at a Human Rights Conference at the Radisson FCF presented a summary of the human rights situation in China, Tibet, and Vietnam and called on Cuban exiles to work with the respective exile communities of above listed countries who are suffering under similar systems of government.
On December 23, 2000 at 2pm FCF held a mini-symposium on Cuba for university students. Guest lecturers included Ricardo Bofill and Frank Calzon.

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Last Updated: Saturday, December 23, 2000