Pro-Government Crowds Shout Down and Block Cuban Dissidents Marching to Church
- Posted on September 25, 2011 at 3:46pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(AP) A raucous pro-government crowd shouting insults and slogans blocked a group of Cuban dissidents from launching a protest march in Havana on Saturday.
Carrying placards and waving tiny Cuban flags, hundreds of people massed outside the home of Laura Pollan, one of the leaders of the dissident group Ladies in White, more than an hour before the group had planned to march three miles (five kilometers) from her working-class Havana neighborhood to a church.
“Down with the worms!“ and ”Get out!” they shouted at the 34 white-clad dissidents gathered inside. Many in the pro-government crowd were women and university students, and they strung huge Cuban and revolutionary flags from the roof of Pollan’s home, staking their claim to the street and also sheltering themselves from the sun.
When some of the Ladies tried to push their way outside to start the march, they were blocked from leaving the doorway when a scrum broke out, with government security agents standing between the two groups. Authorities pulled a bus up to the door of the residence, but it soon left without any of the Ladies on board. It was unclear why the bus was brought to the scene.
Beyond the pushing and yelling, no violence broke out. Crowds often gather to shout at Cuban dissidents in so-called acts of repudiation. The government claims the acts are spontaneous rejections of anti-revolutionary sentiment, although little effort is made to conceal coordination with state security agents on the scene.
In recent days, pro-government blogs have called for Cuban youth to turn out in counterprotest.
The Ladies in White, who formed to press for the release of their husbands, intellectuals and social commentators jailed in a 2003 crackdown, have historically marched to commemorate the day of the Virgin of Mercedes, the patron saint of prisoners.
Their loved ones were freed over the past year under a deal brokered by the Roman Catholic Church, but the Ladies say they intend to keep protesting for greater freedom. They have refocused their agenda by demanding freedom for some 50 prisoners convicted of politically motivated but violent crimes like sabotage and hijacking.
Pollan said her home had been monitored since the previous day and she didn’t know why her group was not allowed to march Saturday as they have on Sept. 24 in past years. She accused the state of coordinating the act of repudiation.
“These are people who are brought in because they’re always the same ones,” Pollan said.
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Comments (52)
Lycus
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:26amThis is why the left loves Castro, they’re jealous of his tyrannical power.
last time I checked, it was Castro that gunned down, murdered, tortured, and imprisoned innoceent Cubans, no the Church.
Report Post »Lone Ranger
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:45pmWas Elian Gonzales in the pro-government crowd?
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 8:39pmWhat did these dissidents expect in a communist country. If they are stupid enough to stand up to a state controlled nation without receiving such attacks, then I have to say they deserved it.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:43pmYou’re a real winner.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:28amYeah, how dare they stand up for their god-given rights and civil liberties? How dare they stand up to a tyrrant?
They obviously deserved what they got, and are lucky “dear leader” didn’t do worse, right? ‘Cause that’s the kind of freedom we cherish in America.
You, sir, are a tool.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 8:25pmIt sucks being in a communist country, doesn’t it?
Report Post »barber2
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:46pmI would like to grab something and it’s not your penny. Get out of here. You are making capitalism look bad by your annoying disrespect for this site.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:45pmThink the fact that the ladies were not allowed to march “as in previous years ” is another sign of how the International Left feels empowered by the actions of the “rebels” around the world and by the actions/ words of the Obama Administration.
Report Post »No Race Is Superior
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:19pmYou are absolutely OBSESSED ith A BLACK MAN BEING PRESIDENT.
SEEK THERAPY.
Report Post »Principlex
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:24am@NoRaceIsSuperior Barber2 didn’t mention race and you conflated race with his criticism of leftist politics. Who is the racist? Is a person who connects every criticism of Obama to race a racist? I’m beginning to think so! Charging racist of others as some kind of defense of Obama doesn’t provide a defense of him.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:56pmObama is bi-racial. Communists come in all colors. No freedom of speech, press or religion under Godless communism. Castro is starving 11 million people. You notice all communist nations are on lock down. If it is so great why do people have to be forced into it. Communism kills everything.
Report Post »Hobo Gator
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:43pmCuban has 11 million residents. 8.5 million are communists card carrying followers. They mobilze with bats, belts, and guns if a protest emerges. No group has a chance, time or freedom to protest. The cuban youths are taught that America is on their way to bomb them. Everyday, they believe, this is it, today is the day. Good luck over coming that in our life time.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:31am“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
Report Post »Joseph Goebbels quotes
barber2
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:41pmSounds like the Obama crowd once they put their boots on ! If don’t support the Lefty in charge, be ready for a blow back. It’s that “union/ thug/intimidation ” business. Know they’re trying to shut down Fox News over the Murdoch scandal in Britain. Typical of the Left’s version of “free speech:” you are free to speak if you are repeating our Left Party line ! Otherwise you are a racist, bigoted, ignorant conservative ******* who better shut up or ….
Report Post »Cuttimer101
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:22pmThose ladies have guts!
Report Post »Cuttimer101
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:21pmThose ladies have guts.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:12pmNo “Cuban spring” here. Not unless Sean Penn approves
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:04pmDWH320 – They are trained that way If you are faced with facts and reason yell and shout. If backed into a corner by facts call the person a racist or a homophobe Ask him when he quit beating his wife. Anything to make him look bad and keep him from speaking the truth.
For gods sake, don’t let him speak the truth. They are using the tactic now at TEA party meetings and republican town hall meetings.
OMG – Psalm 109:8
Report Post »Joisey
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 6:22pmThere are un-jailed dissidents in Cuba? Who knew?
Report Post »scrapadapolis
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 6:12pmGod bless America land that I love stand beside her and guide her through the night in the light up above!!!
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:45pm@scrap AMEN
Report Post »Hausmaus
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:39pmIn 1961 life in Cuba was a total nightmare, my parents had made a decision to flee the island by any means possible. Neighborhoods throughout Habana were experiencing people dissappearing every day never to be seen again for no reason at all. My step father was able to use his position, and influence to take seven of us safely out of the island. But, just a week before from the port of Barlovento just next door from where we would espcape, a cabin cruiser with sixty seven souls met its fate just six miles out at sea when a Cuban helicopter flew overhead, and sprayed fifty caliber rounds all over the place. The following morning twenty miles of coast line had to be cordoned off due to the horrific sight of human remains being washed ashore. Young pregnant women with their fetuces ripped apart by machinegun fire, arms, legs, heads, etc…etc… scattered for miles. The situation had gotten so bad we were willing to risk being slaughtered at sea. If you ask me today what we should do with Cuba? Incinerate the island with six nuclear devices, one for every province. If you had seen what I saw, and experienced on that island in the first two years of the Communist Revolution, a total nuclear holocaust would be too good.
Report Post »americanbychoice61
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 6:51pm“If you ask me today what we should do with Cuba? Incinerate the island with six nuclear devices, one for every province. If you had seen what I saw, and experienced on that island in the first two years of the Communist Revolution, a total nuclear holocaust would be too good.”
What a horrible thought, do you realize that there are people living in that island? if you really feel that way you are not better than those that flew those airliners into the tween towers on 9-11 or the muslim brotherhood that want to kill all the jews. I will pray for your soul…
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:10pmRelax that’s not what was meant and you know it lay off.
If you had gone through that same experience you would say the same thing.
It’s a gut thing and hard to get out of your head seeing such horrible things
Report Post »PleaseStartBrainb4engagingmouth
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:34pmOnly those with weak souls would rather depend on Government subsistence. Why else would they justify giving up their personal freedoms and opportunity to pursue a better life for themselves or their descendants?
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:41pmA person can’t march and protest in Cuba? No kidding.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:28pmAll I can say is — All US Cuban’s — VOTE REPUBLICAN !!! Don’t let the US turn into what has happened in Cuba – help save your families there and yourselves here…. Don’t allow another Democrat anywhere near office in FL or the WH ever again !!!
Report Post »Tinylittletealeaf
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:50pmHey, maybe Sean Penn can go straighten things out.. talk to the Pres….
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:10pm… down with the … worms? Huh? OK, way to whip up a crowd at the last moment, Fidel. Good job … very convincing. I guess you told them, huh? Those damn Ladies in White. Yeah, the worms …
Report Post »scola91660
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:44pmIt’s amazing how prisoner support their jailers…It’s kind of a Stockholm Syndrome, isn’t it?
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:38pmImagine…..they want their system here?
Report Post »db321
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:20pmI was thinking the same thing myself – gives new meaning to Useful Idiots. Take a look Liberal Ladies – your going to look just like that – the any difference you’ll be waring a Vail.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:23pmAnother socialist paradise going down the tubes.
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:12pmsocialism, marxism, communism at work. look for it here, soon
Report Post »Kodiakman
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:44pmIt’s already here. They are known by many names. SEIU is the first to come to mind.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:40pmGa.Vet
Report Post »Very true. We are being surrounded by them more and more.
NOBALONEY
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:03pmThirty four courageous women!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:11pm“Get Out”, But if they try to get out, the Communist Gunboats will kill them. The Cuban branch of SEIU Bussed in Gov Protesters. Fresh from Wisconsin
Report Post »chickenfried
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:01pmHow nice
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 4:00pmYou would almost think you were watching Progressives shooting down a Conservative speaker on almost every college campus here in America. Strange how socialist the world wide act the same to block free speech… ablost like they work out of the same play book.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 5:48pmThere is no religon. There is only the State.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:00pmYou don’t read much do you? Communism kills everytime. No freedom of speech, press or religion under commuism. Why are all communist countries on lock down? If it is so great why aren’t people rushing to them? People are dying to get out of them. The rich people in China want out. They will be the lucky ones.
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