Sit-ins in four of Cuba`s provinces launch third phase of “CON LA MISMA MONEDA” campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                      FEBRUARY 26, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION:                                                       MAGDELIVIA HIDALGO 

                                                                                                            305-801-3548

SIT-INS IN FOUR OF CUBA’S PROVINCES LAUNCH THIRD PHASE OF “CON LA MISMA MONEDA” CAMPAIGN;

ACTIVISTS ARRESTED BY STATE SECURITY POLICE

La Habana, February 29, 2009. Dozens of human Rights activists participated in sit-ins at restaurants in 4 of Cuba’s provinces launching the third phase of the “Con la Misma Moneda” (With the Same Currency) campaign.  The unprecedented sit-ins took place in Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba.

A total of 36 activists took part in the sit-ins which were modeled after those held during the civil rights movement in the 1960’s in the city of Memphis, Tennessee where civil rights proponents protested against Woolworth and Company’s segregation policies.  In each of the Cuban cities where the sit-ins were staged, three couples entered each of the restaurants and cafes, ordered food, and instead of paying in convertible currency (CUC) attempted to pay with the Cuban peso, the currency with which wages are paid to Cuban workers.  The couples entered one at a time, once the first couple had attempted to pay, the second couple would go in and order food, and then the third. 

As a result of these actions, three activists were detained by State Security police in Havana: Alejandro Jose Botello Valdes, Georgina Noa Montes, and Manual Jose Linares Bermudez.  In Matanzas, four individuals were detained, they are: Daraisi Garcia Mendez, Armando Delgado Valdez, Yaima Gomez Tara, Roberto Lazo Gonzalez.  As of this time, there whereabout are unknown.  In Santiago de Cuba and Pinar del Rio, the sit-ins were successful as the management of the establishments accepted pay in Cuban pesos.  

“The level of coordination demonstrated by these actions demonstrate not only the courage but also the capabilities of those promoting this campaign and the popular support that they enjoy,” expressed Magdelivia Hidalgo, International Representative of FLAMUR in Miami, Florida.  “These actions speak for the more than 20,000 who signed the petition that was turned over by FLAMUR to the Cuban National Assembly asking for the right to pay for goods and services in Cuban currency,” said President of FLAMUR, Belinda Salas, from Matanzas, Cuba.  “We will not cease until this discriminatory policy that relegates us to second-class citizen status in our own country is eliminated.  The government is in violation of its own laws, paying With the Same Currency is our right,” she concluded. 

Ciudad Habana.
Restaurant Bodegón Onda. Dirección: Obrapía # 55 esquina Baratillo, Habana Vieja.

1- Alejandro José Botello Valles y Odalis Rodríguez Naya.
2- Manuel José Linares Bermúdez y Gloria Cristina Rodríguez González.
3- Alexander Ferra López y Zoila González Díaz.

Observadora. Georgina Noa Montes.
Apoyo: Julio Beltrán Iglesias y Oscar González Rubio.

Matanzas.
Restaurant La Costa, Dirección: Calzada General  La Playa Matanzas.

1- Marlen Carballo de la Paz y  Héctor Muñoz Suárez.
2- Daraysy García Méndez y Armando Delgado Valdés.
3- Yayma Gómez Tara y Roberto Lazo González

Observadora: Belinda Salas Tápanes,

Apoyo: Lázaro Joaquín Alonso Román y Yusimy Acosta Torres 

Pinar del Río
Panadería y dulcería Donaneli. Dirección: Calle Gerardo Medina # 261 P del Rio.

1- Victoria García Soto y Rafael Rodríguez Prez.
2- Mirta Aguilera Hernández y Osvaldo Ramos Dieguez
3- Margarita Romero García Y Edilberto Remires Calderón

Observadora: Luisa María Cartaya,

Apoyo: Carmen Rosabal Hernández y Nelson Peña Rivero

Santiago de Cuba.
Cafetería Restaurant CUBA. Dirección: Carretera del Caney y Calle 15, Stgo de Cuba.

1- Yilenia Nápoles y Rolando Ríos Bringa

2- Yuleysi Garcés Pérez y Rodolfo Díaz.
3- Mireya Frías Torres y Walter González.

Observadora: Aimeé Garcés Leyva

Apoyo: Julio Valcárcel Ballester y Marta Martínez Sánchez