XI Anniversary of Project Varela

Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, Regis Iglesias and Tony Díaz Sánchez

Eleven years ago today on May 10, 2002 Project Varela, an initiative signed by 11,020 Cuban citizens, demanding a plebiscite is presented before the National Assembly.

Together with Oswaldo at the time of the presentation of the signature (and seen in the photo above) were Regis Iglesias and  Tony Díaz Sánchez. Less than a year later during the Black Cuban Spring both would become prisoners of conscience and spend the next seven plus years unjustly imprisoned.

Ten years, two months and twelve days later Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas was killed in a car crash under suspicious circumstances.

The demand for a plebiscite continues as does now the demand for an international investigation into the deaths of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and youth leader Harold Cepero.

Today, let us remember that day eleven years ago when the voices of 11,020 Cubans were heard loud and clear around the world with this act of civic courage.