Trials begin for 9/11 protesters, and arrests and repression increase.

By Ramón Zamora Rodríguez

Holguín. (Lagrimasdecuba.blogspot.com) - This Tuesday, January 11, summary trials began in Holguín for the 21 political prisoners who participated in the July 11 demonstrations. Also on Tuesday, the regime launched another military deployment to prevent these prisoners and their families from receiving any support, thus implying that no one stands in solidarity with these brave individuals who raised their voices for the rights of an entire people.

There is no doubt that men and women from different opposition organizations in Holguín suffered harassment, arrest and repression by State Security and the joint forces of the repressive police. This was the case with Mailin Ricardo Góngora and opposition leader Ramón Zamora Rodríguez, members of the Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba (ASIC) and the Republican Party of Cuba in Holguín, who were arrested at 11:03 a.m. and taken to the "El Anillo" Police Unit by the second-in-command of confrontation, named Evelio, when they tried to reach the Holguín Provincial Court.

It was known from early morning that there was a police cordon around their homes, but the opposition members decided to show their support at the courthouse for these worthy political prisoners and their families. At the police station, they were told that any attempt to approach the courthouse or their families would be prevented by the "forces of order." The opposition members were kept in the parking area of this police station, and at 5:15 pm they were taken to their homes with the "warning" that they remain "under operational surveillance."

No matter the repressive actions, our political prisoners and their families are not alone in the face of the rigged trials being held against them today. In Cuba, some suffer more harsh treatment and less freedom, but we are all captives and deprived of our rights. Let us unite to wrest them back from those who steal and deny them to us!