It had to be a security issue. There are very strong feelings and President Obama's family's security came first. Neither Cuba or the USA wanted an incident by chance. It was important to secure the streets. Unfortunately, it means peaceful protesters were among those removed from their regular protest march. Unfortunately, it meant Palm Sunday was occurring on the same day Air Force One was landing.
Their message is still important.
March 20, 2016
By Mimi Whitefield
Their message is still important.
March 20, 2016
By Mimi Whitefield
Havana - As they have for 46 straight Sundays, (click here) the dissident Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) marched quietly along the Cuban capital's Fifth Avenue - This time with fronds in their hands to mark Palm Sunday.
Their plea was the same as always: respect for human rights and universal amnesty for all political prisoners. But the timing of their march — just hours before President Barack Obama’s plane touched down at Jose Martà International Airport — gave their protest a different context.
And initially, it seemed as if perhaps the glare of the world media — journalists outnumbered protesters — might keep them safe from the usual routine of arrests and short-term detention.
It was not to be....
