Protests Around the World

March 26th, 2010
A group of people, mainly mothers and daughters, are usually seen protesting all around Cuba in order to support political prisoners. But on March 18th, Cuban police were ordered to drag the women and children by their hair onto a bus, and then arrest them before driving away. This group of protestors was know as the Las Damas de Blanco, or the ladies of white. The Las Damas de Blanco had planned to protest the entire week in order to remind everyone of Fidel Castro's 2003 Black Spring crackdown. This was when Fidel Castro had many dissidents of political prisoners arrested.

But although this was all happening in Cuba, the USA came in defense of those who were being treated unfairly. President Obama implored the Cuban government to let these people go. Obama says that he is "deeply disturbed" by these events and he also says,“These events underscore that instead of embracing an opportunity to enter a new era, Cuban authorities continue to respond to the aspirations of the Cuban people with a clenched fist.”

But President Obama was not the only American to respond. Gloria Estefan lead a march in Miami in order to support the Las Damas de Blanco. Shakira and Andy Garcia are also supporting  Gloria in her efforts to support those in Cuba and help spread the word about the unfair treatment of those in Cuba.

http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/news-politics/andy-garcia-gloria-estefan-shakira-speak-out-support-las-damas-de-blanco