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Cuban dissidents rally in Havana
CNN ^ | Friday, May 20, 2005

Posted on 05/20/2005 3:23:44 PM PDT by So Cal Rocket

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- In what organizers called an unprecedented event, dissidents from groups opposed to Fidel Castro's communist regime gathered publicly Friday and chanted "Down with Fidel."

"Freedom! Freedom!" the group of more than 100 delegates cheered in the yard of Felix Bonne, a veteran dissident, in a working-class section of Havana. Castro's regime would not allow the use of a theater or hotel for the assembly.

Participants included members of dissident groups that are sometimes at odds but share the goal of driving Castro from power.

"We think this is the first democratic assembly that has ever been held in Cuba," said organizer and former political prisoner Marta Beatriz Roque of the rare public display of opposition.

[snip]

A U.S. diplomat brought a videotaped message from U.S. President George Bush, who congratulated attendees on their courage and efforts to build democracy. [snip]

Some participants Friday expressed surprise that the meeting took place at all.

The group called for government reforms and popular involvement in government decision-making. The dissidents also vowed to build relations among civic groups and to "rescue" lost values and traditions.

In papers handed out to media and others, the group said it agreed the meeting was a "big step forward" in the 46-year struggle to get out from under Castro's leadership.

[snip]

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Cuba; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cubandissidents
Let Freedom Reign!
1 posted on 05/20/2005 3:23:44 PM PDT by So Cal Rocket
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To: So Cal Rocket
Chris Dodd and other Senate Dems where there supporting the dissidents correct?
2 posted on 05/20/2005 3:26:45 PM PDT by lormand (George W. Bush is saving your ass, whether you like it or not.)
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To: So Cal Rocket

Why would CNN report this? According to them Castro is a benevolent dictator who provides free health care....


3 posted on 05/20/2005 3:27:36 PM PDT by Stellar Dendrite (Allen/DeLay '08!!)
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To: Stellar Dendrite

According to the democrats, Castro is as great compassionate leader. Oh, and they have a 95% literacy rate.


4 posted on 05/20/2005 3:30:26 PM PDT by Ron in Acreage (It's the borders stupid!)
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To: Stellar Dendrite
Why would CNN report this? According to them Castro is a benevolent dictator who provides free health care....

Silly question.... CNN wants to embarrass Castro so that he will rush to squelch this uprising and imprision and torture these upstart dissidents.
5 posted on 05/20/2005 3:31:27 PM PDT by demkicker (Warning the GOP Senators: Nuke the filibuster!)
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To: So Cal Rocket

The congressional black caucus has condemned the dissidents. Demands they all be jailed.


6 posted on 05/20/2005 3:31:58 PM PDT by Ron in Acreage (It's the borders stupid!)
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To: So Cal Rocket
Cuban dissidents rally in Havana

Here is a one I heard before. When they get to Heaven, St Peter will ask them what noteworthy thing they did in their lives. They will say, we chanted anti Castro slogans in Havana. St Peter will ask when this happened. They will say, oh, about 10 seconds ago.

7 posted on 05/20/2005 3:34:24 PM PDT by Mark17
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To: So Cal Rocket

Well, we got another opportunity for Cuba to demonstrate the efficiency of it's criminal justice system! Last demonstration went from arrest to trial to conviction to execution in SIX DAYS!! That is efficient!


8 posted on 05/20/2005 3:43:09 PM PDT by Tacis ( SEAL THE FRIGGEN BORDER!!!)
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To: So Cal Rocket
Radek Sikorski, just back from a trip to Cuba, reports in the current National Review that France, Germany, and Spain (our NATO "allies") gave Castro a loan of $ 1 billion (with a B) last year, thus: (1) assuring the survival of his bloody regime, and (2) poking the USA in the eye.
9 posted on 05/20/2005 4:15:52 PM PDT by Malesherbes
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To: So Cal Rocket

I'll bump to that.


10 posted on 05/20/2005 4:53:47 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: Stellar Dendrite
Wy CNN indeed! When I read Havana...opposed...to Castro I immediately looked for scrappleface in the upper left!

Castro better book some of his idiot hollyweird friends to go down there and tell those people how good they have it with Uncle Fidel.

The world just isn't ready for Castro's kids to ask to stay out past 10 and get the car keys once in awhile. /sarcasm

11 posted on 05/20/2005 5:49:16 PM PDT by libs_kma (USA: The land of the Free....Because of the Brave!)
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To: So Cal Rocket

Castro says, see, see freedom of speech here in Cuba, come world, take a look.

Not, now that the commies know who they are, all will be jailed or executed witin the week.


12 posted on 05/20/2005 5:56:01 PM PDT by Ursus arctos horribilis ("It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!" Emiliano Zapata 1879-1919)
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