Conversa Cuba Human Rights Day In Cuba 2009 - The Real Cuba - Yuisnaimi J. Soca wife of Imprisoned afro Cuban civil rights leader Dr. Darsi Ferrer

Covering Cuban human rights day 2009. With Jorge Utset Of The Real Cuba Yusnaimi Jorge Soca wife of Jailed Afro Cuban Civil rights leader Dr Darsi Ferrer and John O'Donnell Rosales co host of Conversa Cuba Companioni.

Update: semi-rough translation from 25:40 - 35:00 minute points with Yuisnaimi Jorge Soca from Havana via Miami to the world.

Yusnaimi: Thank you for Inviting me on the show. At 11:00 am 10 Dec 2009 at the Villalon park between Calzada D&E In Havana Cuba where we've had a peace march every year since 2006- Marchers were brutally assaulted and taken to jail cells by police. I was taken to a police station and kept In a calabozo cell from 11am to about 4pm but we protested and yelled out In front of police for human rights.

Although the human rights march was successful marchers were assaulted and detained by secret-police and para-police thugs or turbas that abuse Cuban civil society. Some of my friends were arrested and were incommunicado as of show time.The repression seems to be the only state recourse against these peaceful protests.

Despite this and the repressive and racially discriminatory Castro system more courageous people join the civil rights movement every day- we are not alone. The system seems to be In a sliding state of decadence.

John: listen the world is watching and listening so keep up your courage and know that you are not alone we are all with you - don't be afraid Things will change peacefully one way or another for Cuba someday soon so keep up your struggle because you are not alone.

Jorge Utset: we know that you could not visit Darsi since you tried going to the march on the day that was a visit day but others went to see him what did they say? how Is Darsi?

Yuisnaimi: He was worried about the march but he encouraged me despite threats and Intimidation against him to have me refrain from marching . Even though I've been sick for over five years without resolve and all this struggle I told Darsi that I was determined to march no matter what and he remained confidant In me. State security threatened him to try convincing me to not march but he completely refused their threats and although he's very worried about me he remains confident In this struggle thank god.

Jorge: You can count on us we admire you and know that we all think of Darsi as our brother and he can count on me In anything we can do to help.

Yuisnaimi: Thank you - even though I was detained from going to the park I shouted respect for human rights In front of the police station- there were other activist brothers detained there with me as well as outside and they helped us -We remained united In our protest throughout .

Jorge Utset:The call will be translated Into English for the north American community and the afro American signers of the document denouncing Cuban racial discrimination and calling for the release of Darsi from prison- rest assured Your efforts will not be In vain this Show will be put online so that all people will know of the abuse of Cuban Human rights by the Castro regime. We will continue to pray for you and supporting your efforts 100% which Is about as much as we can do.

Yusnaimi: we want to thank all those afro American leaders who have signed that document. We thank all of you for all of your efforts not only for supporting Darsi and myself but also for the Cuban people- I think this is a very Important document and we wish everyone's help continues In our struggle for Human rights here In Cuba - we are proud and thankful for all the help that you've all been able to give us.

Jorge Utset and Yusnaimi: For 5 years I've been denouncing human rights abuses In Cuba as well as the racial discrimination and we'll be exposing more at all levels - we'll also be helping you out as much as we can- sorry what I've sent hasn't yet arrived- don't worry Jorge we understand how difficult these things are to help us- we'll be In touch by phone or Internet. Thank you all bye bye.

Jorge and us: Thanks Jorge for calling Yusnaimi-we need to put the link - we need to do this so that folks can listen to the show- we need to do something and show that the regime continues to repress them and know of her denunciation as well as seeing the abuse and discrimination against Yusnaimi and Darsi - In English and Spanish - we appreciate your efforts with calling Yusnaimi - we'll have this show recorded.

Historic Afro American Document Supports Cuban Civil Rights leaders

Hat Tip The Real Cuba

Slice From The Real Cuba below:

"For almost 5 years we have been denouncing the blatant racism in Cuba and the incredible lack of support from the Afro-American community in this country for those brave Cubans fighting for human rights in Cuba.

Let's hope this signals a new beginning. Many of those who signed this document, were among the more than 1,500 black leaders and politicians who received our postcard about Dr. Biscet earlier this year.

Maybe it contributed to open their eyes and Investigate further what has been happening 90 miles from the Florida shores".

U.S.S. Maine Afro American Hero William Lambert lead pitcher on Champion Navy Baseball Squad

Via Cuba Libre Camp 172


"This is one of the few existing photo's of African American Crew Man, William Lambert (of Hampton, Virginia), Fireman 2nd Class and lead pitcher, of the U.S.S. Maine's Baseball Team. He is pictured, in the uniform of the Maine's Baseball Team and is holding a baseball (left handed pitcher). He died, in the explosion, of the ship, on February 15th, 1898, along with every member, of the Baseball Team, with the exception, of John H. Bloomer (who held the rank of Landsman, on the Ship). William Lambert led the U.S.S. Maine's team, to the Navy Championship, in December, of 1897, after the team defeated the crew of the U.S.S. Marblehead. William Lambert was one of 23 African American's, on the U.S.S. Maine. May He and all his Navy Comrades, on the U.S.S. Maine, who lost their lives, on February 15th, 1898, Rest In Peace."

Breaking Honduran Election Results

Update: 2 Dec 2009 Honduran congress votes against restoring ousted Liberal President Manuel Zelaya Here

Breaking news off the associated press mojo wire shows conservative candidate Porfirio
Lobo leading liberal Elvin Santos In Honduran elections held today.

"Porfirio Lobo and Elvin Santos, two prosperous businessmen from the political old guard, are the front-runners. No official results had been released by late Sunday, but Channel 5 television and HRN radio said their exit poll indicated that Lobo was leading with nearly 56 percent of the vote, trailed by Santos with 38 percent."
More

Catching up with Orestes Matacena on Conversa Cuba Companioni

We'll be catching up with the Intrepid Orestes Matacena this Sunday 29 Nov @ 7pm Eastern time on our blog talk radio program.The call in number is 718-664-9864 - you can listen live or download later at your convenience by going to our show page Conversa Cuba Companioni  Here

Orestes Matacena Is a Cuban Italian In exile since 1964 and a veteran of the arts, starting with theater In the mid sixties In Miami Florida.

He was also an original co-founder of the New York City based Theatre of the Americas and later Cuban Cultural Center after he moved up north from Miami.

He has a huge filmography In Hollywood most notably In the movie The Mask with Jim Carrey.

He's now directing and producing films at True Indie Movies that can be viewed online or on DVD.

Among his most notable work In plays were Guaguasi and Los Gusanos both were later adapted to film and are classics In the Cuban Exile film category.

See his grand uncle Orestes Ferrara Ybor City marker here

Learn more about Don Orestes Ferrara the most famous Italian Cuban and much more Cuban history Here

Elian remembered on 10th Anniversary of Thanksgiving Arrival

Hat Tip Cubanology

".. It was 10 years ago Thanksgiving day that the little Cuban refugee -- famous enough to be known by his first name -- was found drifting alone in an inner tube by two fishermen off Fort Lauderdale.

Today 26 Nov 2009,(Delfin )González, 77, has made it his personal mission to preserve the political and emotional footprint Elián González left in Miami. He is commemorating the 10th anniversary with a modest ceremony at Casa Elián, 2319 NW Second St., from 10 a.m. to noon.

The struggle for the little shipwreck survivor eventually caused a major rift between those who wanted him to go back to his father in Cuba and most exiles who hoped he would be spared communist indoctrination. The fight became a defining moment in exile politics." Full Story Here

Cuban Emiritus Professor of History Manuel Marquez Sterling on Blog talk Radio

Historian, Author and Co Host of Conversa Cuba John O'Donnell Rosales and I are proud to announce our collaboration with Cubanology's Jose Reyes on his excellent blog talk radio program Speak Your Mind  this Thursday 19 Nov at 9pm Eastern time call in number 646-915-9812.

Cuban Professor Emeritus of history Manuel Marquez Sterling will be Interviewed about his new book exploring details of Cuba's rich but mostly unknown history between those fateful years 1952-1959.

Explore this exceptional site edited by Rembert Aranda Cuba 1952-1959 here

15 Minute Audio of Manuel Marquez Sterling on Bulldog radio New Hampshire Here

Another Day Another Way - Forza Liborio

Tribute to Cuban Civil and Human Rights Leaders

Hat tip Uncommon Sense


The Courage To Be Free: Tribute to Cuban Democracy Activists from National Endowment for Democracy on Vimeo.


Engaging Cuba On human rights article here

Major Rudolf Anderson Sole victim of Cuban Missile Crisis Honored

Via John O'DOnnell Rosales

"Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr. was the only life lost in a conflict that teetered on the edge of utter destruction, a crisis remembered today more for the tense diplomacy of the world’s leaders than the daring missions Anderson embarked upon.

Saturday (14 Nov 2009), Anderson will be honored at his gravesite in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville (South Crolina), where officials will announce Oct. 27 to be annually set aside to honor the day the Soviets shot down Anderson’s spy plane during the heart of the 13-day Cuban Missile Crisis

Anderson, who was 35 when he died, was a graduate of Clemson University and Greenville High School, where he was the football team manager

The president (John F. Kennedy) awarded Anderson the first Air Force Cross and later awarded a Purple Heart". More

Footnotes:

1- There's testimony by Ex Castro Air force chief Rafael Del Pino That Fidel Castro himself pressed the button that launched the missile that actually killed Major Rudolf Anderson.

2- Anti-Castro Resistance members within The Island and Infiltrated groups provided Intelligence about the Soviet Missile presence In Cuba Before Major Andersen's reconnaissance flight but were ridiculed and Ignored.

Cuban Author of "The Homeland Belongs To All Of Us" Marta Beatriz Roque near death

Who Cares About Cuba? Read here

Updated Roque and other dissidents end hunger strike here

Via Medicina Cubana

Urgent news out of Cuba about the dire condition of  Marta Beatriz Roque a diabetic suffering the effects of repeated acts of repudiation against her and other peaceful Cuban civil rights leaders at the home of Vladimiro Roca points to a situation In which the Cuban Government may be trying to kill her by the hardship of getting her medication,the unrelenting stress of repression against her for months and the effects of a fast by her and others calling attention to the brutality under which Cubans live.

Another link for the story here Is In Spanish but has an English translator.

Read a translated version of the now famous yet largely unknown document "The homeland belongs to all of us" here

Cuba Travel opposed by more Democrats

Via Mauricio Carone of Capitol Hill Cubans

Slice from the story by the Miami Herald /

"53 Democrats in the House have told Pelosi that they oppose lifting the ban, blunting the momentum that proponents of lifting the travel ban have had under a Democratic president and Democratic-led Congress.

``Any legislation that would seek to ease or lift sanctions . . . would send a devastating message to Cuba's opposition movement and legitimize an ailing dictatorship,'' states the letter signed by Florida Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kendrick Meek, Alcee Hastings and 50 others.

Wasserman Schultz, who helped gather signatures, said the letter is aimed at showing that a number of Democrats oppose easing sanctions against Cuba, a stance that is traditionally associated with Republicans.

``We felt it was important to show that when push comes to shove, the votes aren't there,'' Wasserman Schultz said. ``The number of Republicans opposed combined with these Democrats would seem to spell that it would not be successful.''More

Yoani Sanchez & Friends beaten Sicilian style

Update Here 11 21 09 Yoani's husband Reinaldo Escobar defends himself against a state mob

Cuban Female blogger Yoani Sanchez and friends were beaten In the streets of La Habana Cuba, In what she described as an attempted kidnapping by Cuban secret police thugs, Just a couple of days ago November 6 2009 on their way to a public act against Violence.Protest Video Here And Here

FULL STORY

Bipatisan panel of Washington DC politicians condemn brutal attack on Yoani and her friends HERE

Cuban workers fear losing food and jobs

(Bananas outside a Cuban state owned food depot)

Updated 11 11 2009 Thousands of Cuban state workers getting axed story here

Food story slice below /

"..Police were called to one farmers market this month when customers shouted and chanted at state workers conducting a routine inspection. Two Associated Press reporters were escorted out of the same market Tuesday after their questions about the changes caused another shouting match.

Producers, sellers and customers said they heard from party officials that new price controls were set to begin Nov. 1 — but were postponed until January after a public outcry unheard of under the totalitarian government.

The agros first appeared in the 1980, when food shortages forced a reluctant Fidel Castro to allow farmers to sell produce at prices driven, at least in part, by the free market. Castro shuttered them six years later to improve foundering state agricultural production

But the small dose of capitalism returned in 1994, when Cuba was again forced to allow more free-market enterprise to keep its people from starving after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which gave Cuba billions in annual subsidies".
Full story here

Cuba revealed In new pair of books by Juanita Castro & Manuel M. Sterling

Hat tip John O'Donnell Rosales




(Juanita Castro / Fidel's sister)

".. (Juanita) Castro, 76, initially supported her brother's 1959 overthrow of the Batista dictatorship but quickly grew disillusioned. In a Spanish-language memoir published by Santillana USA and co-written by journalist Maria Antonieta Collins, she says the wife of the Brazilian ambassador to Cuba persuaded her to meet a CIA officer during a trip to Mexico in 1961.

Castro says in the book, "My Brothers Fidel and Raul. The Secret Story," that she traveled to Mexico City under the pretense of visiting her younger sister Enma. There she also secretly met a CIA officer who identified himself as "Enrique" at the elegant Camino Real hotel.

Castro said she remained on the island while her mother was alive, believing she was protected from the full wrath of her brother. Her mother died in 1963 and she fled Cuba the following year, eventually settling into a quiet life in Miami, where she ran a pharmacy until 2007 and is generally well regarded by other Cuban exiles."
More

Another just released book by Professor Emeritus In History Manuel Marquez Sterling plots "The True Story of Castro's Rise To Power" Via The Cubanology Report

Listen to the 15 minute Interview with Professor Manuel Marquez Sterling via Brian Tilton of Bulldog Radio from New Hampshire Audio Here