Cuban activist march blocked
- 13 years ago
Cuba's activist Ladies in White prepare to brave the angry mob outside the house where they've gathered in Havana.
Every 24th of September, the day of the Virgin of Mercy, patron saint of dissidents, they march to mass.
This time pro-government supporters have turned out in force to stop them.
SOUNDBITE: Laura Pollan, leader of Ladies in White, saying (Spanish):
"We're going to try to march. They can stop us. They will be violating our rights because we have the right to move. Not only will they violate our rights but, well...let them be the ones."
The women's protest marches began after 75 of their family members were jailed in 2003 in a crackdown on dissidents.
They are pushed and punched by the mob as they try to leave for the church.
SOUNDBITE: Yadira Iglesia, pro-government supporter, saying (Spanish):
"I think this is a provocation because if they were defending their rights then maybe it would be all right. What they are trying to do is something against the revolution. That is what they are doing."
Cuba's communist government views the Ladies in White and other dissidents as mercenaries for the United States which has long campaigned to topple it.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
Every 24th of September, the day of the Virgin of Mercy, patron saint of dissidents, they march to mass.
This time pro-government supporters have turned out in force to stop them.
SOUNDBITE: Laura Pollan, leader of Ladies in White, saying (Spanish):
"We're going to try to march. They can stop us. They will be violating our rights because we have the right to move. Not only will they violate our rights but, well...let them be the ones."
The women's protest marches began after 75 of their family members were jailed in 2003 in a crackdown on dissidents.
They are pushed and punched by the mob as they try to leave for the church.
SOUNDBITE: Yadira Iglesia, pro-government supporter, saying (Spanish):
"I think this is a provocation because if they were defending their rights then maybe it would be all right. What they are trying to do is something against the revolution. That is what they are doing."
Cuba's communist government views the Ladies in White and other dissidents as mercenaries for the United States which has long campaigned to topple it.
Paul Chapman, Reuters