| 2006-01-23 | Free Society Project, Inc. |
A violent “act of repudiation” is currently underway at the family home of the Sigler Amaya family in Matanzas. Unspecific reports from terrified neighbors were received by phone of the “criminal” attack on the family. The home, located at Calle 22 #1910 e/ 19 y 21, Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas, serves as the national headquarters for the peaceful dissident group Movimiento Independiente Opción Alternativa.
January 22nd marks the sixth anniversary of a violent attack on the family home as they and several supporters held a fast in support of political prisoners. Nearly fifteen peaceful participants who were gathered in reflection and reading the bible were savagely beaten by a vicious mob, which also ransacked the dwelling. Not even the children present were spared and the family matriarch, Gloria Amaya, in her seventies, suffered a broken spine. Since then, each January 22nd, a commemorative fast takes place. It took place even in 2003 and 2004, when the three Sigler brothers were in prison as a result of the Spring 2003 roundup of dissidents.
Confidential reports had indicated that Communist Party officials and State Security agents had, for days, been organizing an event of gigantic proportions, seeking to send a message to Cuba’s dissident community. The affair was scheduled to begin early this morning. Participants had been recruited in workplaces, high schools and universities, as well as in other towns and municipalities A climate of terror had taken hold of the citizenry, as pre-university students were forced to sign commitment sheets, agreeing to participate or forgoing university careers, and workers were threatened with losing their jobs. Some neighbors were leaving town to avoid participating.
Learning of the plan had sent the grandmother, Gloria Anaya to the hospital. After the spinal injury in the 2000 attack, suffering from diabetes, and with a history of three heart attacks, a kidney removal, and many operations, the family believes the government is trying to kill her off to set an example.
Miguel Sigler Anaya, recently arrived as a political refugee in the United States with his family, after his release from jail. Now living in New Jersey, he remains steadfast despite the threat to his loved ones. “Nothing will prevent us from continuing our peaceful struggle for freedom and human rights for the people of Cuba -nothing, not even if we have to lose our lives.”
Contact:
Miguel Sigler Amaya, Tel. 908.289-5330 (Spanish only)
Maria C. Werlau, Free Society Project, Tel. 973.701-0520 (English)
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For more on the Sigler act of repudiation, see, in Spanish, http://www.payolibre.com/PRESO-%20Ariel%20Sigler%20Amaya.htm.
“Acts of repudiation” are government organized public public protests against dissidents, during which participants shout obscenities, frequently damage to the homes and property of those targeted, and, at times, invade the homes and physically attack the victims. Members of state controlled mass organizations, workers, students, and even the neighbors of intended victims are pressured into taking part and those who refuse face disciplinary action, including loss of employment or the ability to attend educational facilities. Police and State Security agents are often present, but either lead the attacks or take no action to prevent or end them. (In: Cuba: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2004. Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. U.S. Department of State. February 28, 2005, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41756.htmm.)
For more on “Acts of repudiation see: Dr. Eloy Arnaldo González, “Qué es un acto de repudio?,” http://www.cubademocraciayvida.org/web/article.asp?artID=1375.
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