Gloria Estefan Funds Miami Protest March: Cuba's Damas de Blanco

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Gloria Estefan - MARCH IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM - Las Damas de Blanco

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sourced by Joy Gugeler

The Cuban-American singers Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan organized and funded a march calling for the support of the  Damas de Blanco, Women in White, in Cuba. 

The Damas de Blanco are daughters, wives and mothers of imprisoned political dissidents in Cuba. They're commemorating the 7th anniversary of 2003's “Black Spring,” in which 75 dissidents were arrested, by marching every day in the Cuban capital. 

In the most violent of the reactions to these protests, the women were reportedly attacked by a mob of pro-government Cubans and forced onto a bus by authorities.

The march took place in the Little Havana Section of Miami on SW 8th St [or Calle Ocho] between SW 22nd Ave and SW 27th Ave and saw Venezuelans, Colombians, Puerto Ricans and other nationalities join in support.

Ending Cuban Oppression

Estefan called for Cubans "to decide their fate via the ballot box" against the backdrop of the Cuban National Anthem.

The Mayor of Miami, Tomas Regalado, also gave a speech in support of the Damas De Blanco and talked about freedom and opportunity while the public brandished flags of different countries and photos of the Damas De Blanco.

Others remembered Cuban Hunger Strikers Orlando Zapata Tamayo with "Zapata Vive" or Zapata Lives posters. Posters of Guillermo Farinas, now 2 weeks into a hunger strike, were also present.

Latin-American Celebrities Support the March

Stars in attendance included:

• Miguel Bose
• Calle 13
• Willy Chirino
  
• Lissette
  
• Maria Lourdes
• George Lopez
  
• Pit Bull
  
• Amaury Gutierrez
• Albita Rodriguez
  
• Juanes
  
• Luis Fonsi 
• The Screw Ups (who plan to record a song dedicated to The Damas De Blanco)

Similar demonstrations have been held in Havana, Cuba by the Damas De Blanco.