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FROM
CUBA
Anti-government graffiti a growing trend
in Cuba
SANTA CLARA, March 17 (www.cubanet.org)
- People dissatisfied with the government
and willing to express it at night by painting
anti-government slogans on walls have become
a growing phenomenon, at least in the central
Cuban provinces, in spite of similarly growing
police activity to deter them.
Most recently, several slogans showed up
on the morning of Friday, March 12, on the
walls of houses at the corner of Cuba and
Serafín Sánchez Streets, in
the center of Santa Clara. On the wall of
one house belonging to prominent Communist
Party members, someone wrote in black ink:
"Down with Fidel." Nearby, almost
under the nose of Popular Council president
José Chalup, someone wrote: "Fidel,
Murderer."
Inevitably, by the time police showed up
to remove the graffiti, a crowd had gathered
and spread the news across town. Bystanders
said police painted over one sign and scrapped
the other one off.
People's opinions ran the gamut: some said
those doing the painting are crazy for taking
the risk, others said the signs don't solve
any problems or topple any governments,
yet others said the surreptitious painting
and other signs of rebellion were as nothing
compared to the string of hardships and
calamities Cubans have to endure everyday.
Most people, though, who as majorities everywhere,
expressed no opinion, wore complacent smiles
as they wandered off.
So far, the graffiti artists seem to have
the home-field advantage at night; police
seldom surprise them in the act. Instead,
police routinely round up those presumed
to be "disaffected," and so identified
by the Department of State Security, and
sternly warn them about their Revolutionary
shortcomings and the possible consequences
of their attitude and actions.
Versión
original en español
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