Parlamentarians Condemn Aggressive Attitude of Alpidio Alonso
Twenty eight parlamentarias and former Ministers of Culture from 13 nations in Latin America have signed their names in a document to condemn the aggressive attitude of Cuba’s Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso against young artists who were peacefully paying tribute to José Martí outside the Ministry of Culture on January 27, on the eve of the independence apostle´s birthday.
Last Wednesday, January 27 in Habana City, Cuba, during a peaceful protest in which young artists, activists and journalists who were reading poems as a tribute to José Martí, state officials beaten and arbitrarily detained protesters what were gathered outside the Ministry of Culture.
In the following days, a video circulated on social media showing the Minster of Culture, Alpidio Alonso attacking protesters. The person attacked is journalist Mauricio Mendoza to whom the Minister of Culture tried to violently take away his phone. The attack by the minister led to a violent repression against 20 youngsters gathered.
We have signed this statement to take a stance on the severity of this violent situation on behalf to the government against young people and the free press in Cuba.
As public officials in the cultural field and the arts in Latin America, we condemn the use of violence against any human being, particularly coming from a public official such as the case of the Minister of Culture of the Cuban regime.
We stand by the people of Cuba whom despite the limitations imposed by the regime have made great contributions to the world heritage, arts and humanity. We immediately demand respect by the regime to the fundamental right of free expression, including the right of the Cuban people to decide their future and change the system.
Via Martí Noticias.
