Guest Blog - Carmen Peláez VANISHING ISLAND

As I write this in my warm Brooklyn apartment with my biggest concerns for the day being how I’m going to get to navigate through the five different places I have to be at today—I think about Guillermo Fariñas.

I have long surrendered the idea of returning to Cuba and seeing any of beautiful Havana’s architecture intact. Becoming too aware of the logistics of disrepair, Cuba has become an island made of merengue, slowly and surely disintegrating…but I never ever lost faith in its people. The one thing that I knew I would eventually return to was a populous ready to meet every challenge, hungry for freedom and resourceful enough to turn the page on one of the most brutal times in our history.

But now, even that seems impossible. Not because of their will, but because they too are disappearing. Our modern day Maceo’s, Marti’s and Elena Meredos’s are vanishing before our eyes; wasting away while undergoing hunger strikes in desperate, last pleas for attention. We are a much maligned and often misunderstood people, but how much longer can we wait for the world to take notice? How can we let another one or our warriors die-needlessly and isolated?

Now is the time for us to join forces and support the dissidence in Cuba with all the resources and energy we can gather. The tsunami of repression the Castro brothers are enacting tell me how desperate they are…we have much more power than we think—if we can mange to focus our efforts.

What can you do? Write a letter to Las Damas de Blanco letting them know they are not alone. Donate to Yoani Sanchez so that she can continue to get our truth out. Send your old cell phones to Raices de Esperanza making it easier for Cubans to technologically unite. Encourage your favorite Cuban organization to join forces creating one organization that tells the world ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Fidel Castro is the luckiest dictator in western hemisphere—not because of his own ingenuity-but because Cuba is an island—and his power lies in its isolation. We can overcome that barrier in the 21st century. And we must act now before Cuba and everybody in it, that ever was or will ever be, disappears into the ether.


http://www.damasdeblanco.com/apoyo/apoyo.asp

http://www.desdecuba.com/generaciony/?page_id=2222

http://www.cells4cuba.org/



Carmen Peláez was born in Miami to Cuban parents. She is a playwright and actor residing in Brooklyn, New York.

New play uses technology to bring Cuban and American artists together

With our eRevolution conference on Technology and Cuba just around the corner it felt extremely appropriate to run across this new play, The Closest Farthest Away. It allows for Cuban and American actors to interact on the same stage even though the actors are 90 miles away from each other. This Telemundo report shows a little about how its done:



The play looks like it has some really interesting possibilities. If you are interested in checking out this play it will be preformed on:  

Start Time:	Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 8:00pm
End Time:	Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 9:30pm
Location:	Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach, FL 33141

http://www.projectporamor.com/

Join us here, in our comments section, afterward to share your opinions and insights on the performance

Raices Cuba Conference Application Deadline Extended

Deadline EXTENDED to next Sunday, March 7th, 2010!

Great news!!! Roots of Hope is extending the application deadline for this year's national youth leadership conference at Cornell University from April 8-11, 2010. APPLY NOW!

Want to be part of a transformational experience with dynamic young leaders from across the country passionate about Cuba! APPLY NOW! This year, we're holding our trademark conference at Cornell and focusing on how the power of technology can be used to empower youth in Cuba. The name of the conference is eRevolution: Camino a una nueva era (Journey to a New Era) and it will take place from April 8-11, 2010. To apply, please visit www.CornellCubaConference.org.

For the past seven years, the Roots have brought together students and young professionals taking leading roles in our careers and passionate about empowering young people in Cuba at a national youth leadership conference. In the past, our annual conferences have been held at Harvard, Princeton, and Georgetown, and included keynotes by personalities such as Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan, Academy Award nominee Andy Garcia and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. For info on this year's program and speakers, please visit www.CornellCubaConference.org.

This year's conference is more relevant than ever before. Around the world, we've seen how the power of technology can be used to empower the people and promote positive social change. In Cuba today, young people hunger to connect with each other and the outside world.  If you're passionate about Cuba and a dynamic young leader, then YOU should definitely apply. This is an opportunity to get involved and make a difference TODAY. Remember, the deadline is Sunday, March 7th! Don't miss out!

Important to note: Roots of Hope wants to ensure that travel expenses are not a factor in any potential participants' decision to attend the Cornell Cuba Conference. Financial assistance is available to those that request it on the application, including some 100% reimbursements for travel expenses. For more info, visit www.CornellCubaConference.org

Guest Blog - Liannis Merino - Reflejos de la vida de Orlando Zapata Tamayo

El asesinato premeditado a Orlando Zapata Tamayo para mí ha sido un golpe estremecedor pero no extraño. Ya que desde que fue apresado en el año 2003 fue torturado y confinado en prisiones de alta seguridad para silenciar su conducta contestataria ante las violaciones a los derechos humanos que comete el Régimen Castrista. Fue la estocada final para la no celebración del día en que nací.

Entre la separación de mi familia, el destierro y la impotencia de no poder liberar a mi Cuba ya, agudizan mis ansias de lucha. Cuando comencé a ejercer el periodismo independiente dentro de la isla tuve la oportunidad de conocer de cerca la historia de este luchador y siendo natal Banes, provincia Holguín donde reside su madre; compartí con ellos momentos de incalculable dolor y angustia sirviendo de portavoz de sus denuncias.
Zapata fue uno de esos jóvenes cubanos que le fue arrebatada su libertad y con ella la oportunidad de crear su propia familia y de tener hijos. Es uno de esos hombres que el Gobierno cubano no quiere libres ni con vida porque teme a su influencia en la sociedad civil.

Entre las cualidades del, que despertaron mi admiración y respeto estuvo su posición inclaudicable ante cualquier situación sin importar cuán riesgosa o difícil fuera. Siempre se mantuvo firme a sus ideales. Rebelde pero humano y su humildad le ayudo a ganar el cariño y apoyo de todo el que le conoció, tanto reos políticos como comunes. Otra de las cosas que me impresionaron fue la consideración que siempre guardo a su familia, se conformaba con lo que podían llevarle y aunque no aceptaba ni alimentos ni nada del penal compartía sus bienes con todos los reos.

No puedo hablar de Zapata sin resaltar el sacrificio y dedicación de su madre y familia que lo apoyaron hasta el final de su vida. Cuba perdió un valeroso hijo y nosotros un hermano. Ante acciones como esta no debemos quedarnos quietos, no daremos tregua ante tanta injusticia.

Como joven cubana me uno al reclamo de liberación a todos los presos políticos y de conciencia recluidos en cárceles castro-comunistas. Aunque nos maten uno a uno, nos repriman o nos destierren no lograran apagar nuestras ansias de libertad. Mientras que exista dictadura en Cuba se levantaran miles de hombres como Zapata. Nuestros muertos no quedaran impunes y su ejemplo servirá de inspiración para que las nuevas generaciones tomen las riendas de su destino y su futuro.

Gloria eterna a Zapata! Libertad para los presos políticos cubanos! Viva Cuba libre y Abajo la tiranía!

Liannis Merino es de Banes, Holguin y fue presidente de Jóvenes Sin Censura desde su fundacion en el 2005 hasta el 2007 cuando vino a los Estados Unidos.

Of Cowards and Criminals

My friends quickly update their Facebook statuses and Tweets with a variant of: Orlando Zapata Tamayo has died. Please pray for him and his family.

‘Too little, too late’ is my initial reaction. I try to put myself in Orlando’s shoes, but that’s useless. What do I know about starving to death? Again, I close my eyes and try to conceptualize what it feels like to die the way he did. Was he in agony for 85 days? Or did his body become numb to the pain before he fell into a coma? What did Orlando feel as his body shut down and consumed itself in a desperate attempt to keep living? Since I couldn’t imagine what Orlando’s last 85 days of life were like I turned to the infinite source of knowledge my generation relies on. I Googled “starvation.”

The first few days after refusing solid foods, Orlando is in significant discomfort as a gnawing pain takes over his stomach and intestines. Already malnourished, he becomes weaker and is unable to sit or stand on his own after a couple of weeks. Chronic diarrhea likely sets in. Too weak to move, Orlando likely lies covered in his own feces for weeks, confined to the prison floor he slept on for over six years.

As his body begins to break apart muscles and organs in a frantic bid for the smallest amounts of energy, intense and sharp pains take over. Slowly dying, dehydration sets in after he is refused a single drop of water for over two weeks. Orlando’s skin then dries out and cracks open, his bare flesh exposed, flies dancing in and out of his wounds. His limbs become stiff and his body convulses like a marionette in the hands of a small child. In and out of consciousness, Orlando hallucinates and his senses are dull during his last days of life. Past the tipping point – he falls into a coma and dies

I wonder how anyone capable of feeling or understanding pain could do such a thing to fellow human being. What extraordinary cowardice must he/she possess to be part of the heinous process that killed this innocent man? At what point do you lose any sense of empathy and humanity and become so callous that watching someone starve to death is nothing more than a minor inconvenience?

What went through the mind of the prison guard who refused Orlando’s pleas for water? I can’t imagine what he told his kids when they asked him what he did at work that day.

“Mi niño, hoy papá ayudo asesinar un hombre inocente – fue una muerte muy lenta y dolorosa.”

“Pero Papi, ¿el no ere una persona como tu y yo? ¿Por que hiciste eso?”

“Mijo, es que tu papá es un cobarde y un criminal.”

Remembering Orlando Zapata Tamayo and Why We Keep our Work Going

As you may know, Orlando Zapata Tamayo - an Amnesty International recognized Cuban prisoner of conscience - died yesterday on the eighty-second day of a hunger strike in protest of the deplorable conditions in Cuba’s prisons. This is a truly tragic passing and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Seven years ago this week, a small of group of about 100 college students from 13 schools left Harvard inspired and empowered to reach out and connect with young people in Cuba. We heard from Cuban civil society leaders like Oswaldo Paya and Vladimiro Roca about the human rights reality on the ground and made a consorted effort to support our counterparts struggle to exercise their rights on the island. One month later, the Cuban government condemned 75 civil society leaders and independent journalists to harsh prison sentences.

Fourteen years ago today, two unarmed Cessnas on a humanitarian mission were shot down over international waters killing Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. These are clear examples of the Cuban government’s disregard for human life and continued merciless repression.

For many of us, these events made personal the daily struggle of so many who peacefully fight for their rights in Cuba. Since then, on campuses across the country, we have honored in solidarity the plight of those who relentlessly stand up for justice and freedom. We have learned that no action is too small and that there is strength in "intercambio." We've learned that every opportunity we have to raise awareness about the realities of our brothers and sisters in Cuba brings us closer to a day when all Cubans will be the authors of their own futures. We've seen first hand the importance of our continued support of democratic activists, bloggers, and all those who are fighting for change.

Today, we mourn the passing of Orlando Zapata Tamayo and remember his valiant efforts and unyielding advocacy for the respect of human rights. His selfless actions serve as an inspiration to many. We strongly condemn the reprehensible actions of the Cuban government against its own people as we keep Orlando and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Orlando Zapata Tamayo, May 16, 1967 - February 23, 2010

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Cuban human rights activist and prisoner of conscience, who had been on a hunger strike for 82 days. May he rest in peace.

What follows is a BBC News account:

Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo has died in hospital after 85 days on hunger strike.

Mr Zapata, 42, had been transferred to a Havana hospital from a smaller clinic in the central province of Camaguey after his condition worsened on Monday.

Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience after his arrest in March 2003 in a crackdown on opposition groups.

He had been refusing food in protest at jail conditions.

Mr Zapata, whose family announced last week that he was seriously ill, died on Tuesday in Havana's Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital.

His death marks the first time in nearly 40 years a Cuban activist starved himself to death to protest against government abuses.

The last political prisoner to die on hunger strike in Cuba was Pedro Luis Boitel, a poet and student leader, in 1972.

'Better future'

Mr Zapata's mother, Reina Luisa Tamayo, told the Miami newspaper El Nuevo Herald by telephone that her son had been "murdered" by Cuba's authorities.

"They managed to do what they wanted," she said. "They ended the life of a fighter for human rights.''

Laura Pollan, a dissident from the group known as Ladies in White, told the BBC: "He wasn't a murderer. He wasn't a thief. He wasn't a rapist. He was simply a young man who wanted a better future for Cuba."

Mr Zapata was among a group of some 75 dissidents jailed by the authorities in 2003. He was initially sentenced to three years in prison, but this was increased to 25 years in subsequent trials.

Cuba's illegal but tolerated Human Rights Commission says there are about 200 political prisoners still held in Cuba, about one-third less than when Raul Castro took over as president from his brother Fidel.

But if anything harassment of dissidents has increased over the past year, the group says.