Before falling ill last week, Las Damas de Blanco leader Laura Pollán vowed not to give up her fight for peaceful democratic change in Cuba. See 19-minute interview of Pollán in HD on the Cuba Money Project’s Vimeo channel. Pollán said: As long as there are political prisoners, there will be Damas de Blanco fighting [...]
Interview with Sonia Garro Alfonso
Sonia Garro Alfonso makes and sells homemade sweets to raise money take care of her family, which includes her 14-year-old daughter. She disputed Cuban government claims that the U.S. government finances the political opposition. She said the Cuban government “has all the resources in the world” to fight dissidents who have difficulty making ends meet. [...]
Interview with Crispina Xiomara Duquesne
Crispina Xiomara Duquesne, a member of Damas de Apoyo, said she plans to fight for a “free and democratic” Cuba “until the end.” She said: I am not leaving this country until I see my country changed. She said her son, Mario Suarez Duquesne, was also a member of the political opposition. He was arrested [...]
Interview with Niurkis Rivera Despaigne
Niurkis Rivera Despaigne said she had to act when she saw that members of Las Damas de Blanco were suffering reprisals for their peaceful protests. So joined Las Damas de Apoyo in July 2009. She said: I think it’s every woman’s fight. It’s a fight for everyone. Among her goals: To help achieve equality and [...]
Interview with Maura Jacqueline Barrera Martinez
Maura Jacqueline Barrera Martinez said members of Las Damas de Apoyo will continue their protests despite the release of the 52 prisoners who were part of those rounded up during the March 2003 crackdown on dissidents. She said: We, at least those of us in Damas de Apoyo, will continue until they free the last [...]