Posted on 03/20/2005 10:53:31 AM PST by NormsRevenge
HAVANA (AP) - With shouts of "Viva Fidel," female government supporters interrupted a weekly silent protest on Sunday by the wives of political prisoners after church services on the second anniversary of the crackdown that put 75 activists behind bars.
No violence was reported and nobody was injured during the standoff between two opposing groups of women Sunday afternoon after Palm Sunday Mass at the Santa Rita Roman Catholic Church.
But tensions ran high during the unusual, noisy confrontation, prompting curious neighbors to leave their homes and for cars along busy Fifth Avenue to slow down for a better look.
It was the first such confrontation since the wives began the weekly protest shortly after the March 2003 government crackdown that imprisoned their husbands. Cuba accused the dissidents of working with the United States to undermine Fidel Castro's government - a charge the activists and Washington denied.
Over the last year, the dissidents' wives, known as the "Ladies in White," have become increasingly bold, launching several candlelight vigils and public protests - practically unheard of in communist Cuba.
Some credit their pressure with leading to last year's release of 14 of the 75 prisoners.
"We have to support the revolution," said government supporter 70-year-old Aida Diaz, who said the counterprotest by about 100 women was organized by the Federation of Cuban Women.
She said the silent march outside the church by about 30 prisoners' wives dressed all in white "goes against the country."
"We cannot let them damage the revolution," Diaz added.
The Cuban government launched the weeklong crackdown on March 18, 2003, rounding up the dissidents and later sentencing them to long prison terms.
While the wives demanded the release of their husbands, the protesters from the Federation of Cuban Woman called for the release of this communist country's "Five Heroes" - five Cuban intelligence agents serving long terms in U.S. federal prisons.
Even before the Mass, several dozen state security officers in civilian clothes and carrying walkie-talkies were stationed outside the church, indicating that this week's regular protest would be different.
When the prisoners' wives known left the sanctuary, the pro-Castro protesters were waiting for them, some with the tiny paper red, white and blue flags commonly used at government organized rallies.
The prisoners' wives looked stunned by the protesters, some carrying signs reading "Viva Fidel!" - "Long Live Fidel!" or inscribed with other slogans of the Cuban revolution.
The government supporters marched aggressively toward the wives, blocking their way as they tried to perform their weekly ritual outside the church.
But Alicia Rojas, the 34-year-old daughter of prisoner Jesus Manuel Rojas, said she would not be deterred.
"I feel more strength and courage to defend my father who is a political prisoner in this country," she said.
Bertha Soler Fernandez, whose husband is prisoner Angel Moya Acosta, agreed.
"The government feels powerless to respond to us so it sends us these people to give a response," she said.
Laura Pollan (left), leader of the "Ladies in White," leads the rest of the group of wives of political prisoners during a march in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 18, 2005. Nearly 30 wives of political prisoners marched to the headquarters of the government's journalists' union Friday to demand their plight be publicized in Cuba's state-run media, marking the second anniversary of the crackdown that put their spouses behind bars. Sashes say "amnesty."
Viva Fidel!
Vivan las Damas de Blanco!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.