Cuba’s Ladies in White and the Right to Protest

Rosa Martinez

Ladies in White. File photo by cubadebate.cu

HAVANA TIMES, Jan 18 — The first time I heard about the “Ladies in White,” I considered these women to be exceptionally brave to protest and demonstrate in Cuba, a country where holding an opinion against the social system is a crime punishable by law.

Since then I’ve read more about the group online. To me their reasons seemed just: they were seeking the release from prison of their husbands, sons and brothers, who were taken there during the famous 2003 “Black Spring” here on the island.

Anyone who attempts to sabotage or undermine the economy and national security, as well as try to attack us, deserves to be judged with the full force of law.

But those who believe that socialism is not the solution, those who disagree with our government and its leaders, and anyone who wants a more democratic society should not be thrown in prison. No one should go to prison for thinking differently.

This is why I understood the Ladies in White, at least until all of the prisoners of conscience were released. Now that they’ve accomplished their objective, I no longer understand them.

If their goal was the freedom of their loved ones, why do they continue protesting?

Although I still don’t understand why they continue marching through the streets of Havana, I never agreed with the idea that they be attacked by civilians or anyone else. If the only thing they do is engage in peaceful marches, then they should be left alone.

If their interest is to protest against a regime that they consider unjust, they shouldn’t be disturbed.

It’s about time that Cubans should be able to protest, shout and demand what they think is best for the nation – without any problems.

Unfortunately, that’s not the way things are.

 

4 thoughts on “Cuba’s Ladies in White and the Right to Protest”

  • Do you think someone can be opposed to the Cuban government and its policies but still be a loyal Cuban citizen? Or is everyone who opposes the Cuban government and its policies a mercenary working for a foreign power?

  • Well I think that you can think whatever you want about the government that runs the country where you live, but what you can not do, is to get allies to support your struggle, as the terrorist that live in Miami Florida protected all the time by the Government of the USA.

    On the other hand, you can not be the ally of the Government, as the USA one, because during the las 200 years, that Government has the worst record in Human Wrights in the world , if you do not believe me, read a little of history of that country, starting with the black people ant the treatment they received, receive and will receive from that Government, see the history of killing Presidents, when supposedly those President did not represent the ultra right wing of the politician and billionaries, see the history of invasions, and just remember Iraq, 1million dead Iraq citizen in a war that was looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction that never appeared, but the oil did, and that was, what they were looking for, as they did in Libya, 100,000 citizen kill, thanks to the bombs of NATO, under the UN (Baki Moon) to protect civilians against Kadafy attacks, two big lies among many others, but that will take many pages to explain them so read the history

    So the Ladies in White in Cuba, they only represent the Government of the USA desires of destruction of the Cuban social and economic process, and for that job, the Ladies in White receive the money from the USA Government and the terrorist that live in Miami.

    You can talk about those Ladies, but nobody in Cuba respect and listen them, they are only looking for the money and that is all, if you do not believe me, take a look to the mother of the criminal Zapata, in Miami, in a photo with the greatest terrorist in America, Posada Carriles, so that photo speaks what the Ladies in White are, mercenaries working for a foreign power.

  • From what I know about the Ladies in White they are also protesting in support of human rights for the Cuban people including freedom of speech and assembly, and free multiparty elections.

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