A group of friends and workers’ self-management advocates who are members of the (new-left) Critical Observatory Network decided — on our own, (independently of the Cuban government) — to demonstrate against capitalism on Saturday, May 12. This was the date on which those involved in the worldwide 15-M movement did the same.
May 1 is coming, and the Cuban government is beginning to organize its traditional “March of the Combative People” in the main squares throughout the country. They’re also enlisting old recordings that have historically animated (?) the event, including the workers’ anthem: “The Internationale.”
He surprised everyone at the bus stop. He appeared there — determined and without the least embarrassment — with his bag of empty cans slung over his shoulder. He then began to deftly put them in a funny line just under the bus.
Cuba’s Critical Observatory network (OC) has just published on its blog a statement or “position” calling for forums of public expression that are truly pluralistic, inclusive and open to the various tendencies on the island that are struggling to be heard.
The square wasn’t filled. In fact there weren’t enough people to even cover the central area, which was the reserved section that had been fenced off for workers from various workplaces, those who had been diligently “summoned” by the government to show up early.
The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) informed in early March on a coming medicine shortage in Cuba. A list was published which refers to the basic drugs usually sold by the state pharmacies that could be lacking. Likewise, a shortage of other less common drugs was not ruled out.
“Sorry but this bill is counterfeit, my love, so I can’t take it.” That was what a clerk said to a woman a few days ago when she tried to buy a soft drink for her child at the private stand where I catch the bus to work every day.”
The Cuban government is in a race towards March 26, the scheduled date for the arrival in Cuba of Ratzinger, the current monarch of the Catholic Church. They hope to offer the Pope a well made-up city, so that it looks pretty in the photos.
Though I was a member of the Young Communist League, I didn’t stop for one moment to find out what was supposed to be my relationship with the Pope (a figure about whom I’d never thought twice) and a capitalist corporation the size of the NBC.
The “concealed sphere” irremissibly determines the public sphere in Cuba. This was corroborated by the recent barring of several individuals from the presentation of the latest edition of “Criterios” magazine at its office-center by agents of Cuban State Security.