Democratic Spaces Canada Condemns the Arrest of José Daniel Ferrer García
Democratic Spaces Canada categorically condemns the arbitrary and violent arrest of peaceful human rights activist and leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba José Daniel Ferrer García on February 26, 2021. Ferrer was arrested in his house in Altamira, Santiago de Cuba in a major police crackdown hours before the start of a livestream event by the European Union in solidarity with artists and activists in Cuba.
José Daniel Ferrer García should be released immediately and his wrongful house arrest sentence rescinded. The peaceful exercise of human rights only constitute a ¨crime¨ in dictatorships.
Photos of the police raid to arrest José Daniel Ferrer on February 26, 2021
In the past weeks Ferrer has been the target of violent repressive actions by the regime in Cuba, including stone throwing at this home where lives with his wife Nelva Ortega Tamayo and minor children. Here is a link to a report I translated in English on January 31, 2021 where Ferrer denounced State Security thugs throwing stones at his house.
On February 25 Ferrer was the target of a violent attack by individuals dressed as street vendors which Ferrer reported as State Security agents in disguise. He was attacked, beaten and dragged while carrying out the Patriotic Union of Cuba´s social mission to serve poor and medications to the poor and disadvantageous groups in Santiago de Cuba.
People stood up in his defense and shouted ¨Down with Dictatorship¨ following the attack. Most likely, the dictatorship irritated by Ferrer´s popularity and his ability to mobilize people ordered his arrest on February 26.
Click the image below for a summary of events and actions in the life of pro democracy activist José Daniel Ferrer, from 1992 to the present.
On January 15, 2021, José Daniel Ferrer staged a hunger strike along with his wife, Dr. Nelva Ortega Tamayo in protest for the 6 month police cordon around his home, also the main headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Cuba.
Arrest of José Daniel Ferrer on January 13, 2021. He was arrested for speaking up on behalf of other UNPACU activists in danger of being arrested.
The key to the Patriotic Union of Cuba’s popularity lie in his social activism on behalf of the most disadvantageous groups in Santiago de Cuba. UNPACU serves lunches to the poor and offers medical attention to the poor.
