|
Cuban hustle
By James Morrison. Published
June 21, 2005 in The
Washington Times.
Pro-democracy advocates bought tickets
to a black-tie reception at the Cuban Interests
Section over the weekend and then used the
occasion to hand out leaflets about human
rights abuses under Fidel Castro before
security guards evicted them.
Maria Werlau, one of the organizers of
the protest, was slightly injured by the
guards when they forcibly removed her from
the Saturday night reception. She later
showed off her bruised arms, calling them
a Father's Day gift to her dad, who was
killed during the failed attempt to overthrow
Mr. Castro in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.
"We were peaceful, but we decided
to give them a taste of their own medicine,"
Ms. Werlau said yesterday.
The 11 protesters included two American
lawyers with no Cuban heritage. The others
were Cuban-Americans.
The party was organized by a group called
Professionals in the City and heavily advertised
as an opportunity "to explore the culture,
cuisine and music of Cuba, one of the most
fascinating and misunderstood nations of
our time."
Kevin Chaffee, society editor for The
Washington Times, said Cuban officials refused
to allow his reporter to cover the event.
Ms. Werlau said, "The human rights
advocates passed an inspection at the door
as Cuban agents carelessly checked names
of arriving guests against a long list of
alleged opponents to the Castro regime.
"Once upstairs, the pretenders proceeded
to taste the food and drink and engage in
conversation with young professionals in
attendance."
The protesters circulated among the crowd
and distributed cards with messages about
human rights abuses in Cuba.
"The side of one card highlighted
Amnesty International prisoner of conscience
Dr. Oscar Biscet," Ms. Werlau said.
"One card was dedicated to the thousands
of victims of the Castro regime and cited
78 documented cases of minors executed or
assassinated."
Cuban officials soon realized what was
going on, confiscated the cards and ordered
the group to leave. Most left peacefully
and joined another protest across from the
Cuban diplomatic mansion on 16th Street
Northwest.
However, Ms. Werlau refused to hand over
her cards. Two Cuban officials grabbed her
by her arms and pulled her down a flight
of stairs to the door. All the while, she
said she was "crying out, 'Freedom
for Cuba.' "
A spokesman for the Cuban Interests Section
did not respond to a request for a comment.
jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.
Copyright © 2005 News
World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
