Captive Nations Week: Masses in Memory of Two Cuban Human Rights Heroes Martyred on July 22, 2012

July 17 through July 23, 2016 is Captive Nations Week and it coincides with the fourth anniversary of the extrajudicial killings of Cuban pro-democracy leaders Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, and Harold Cepero Escalante on July 22, 2012. Both were leaders in the Christian Liberation Movement. Last month this movement issued a call for those who knew them to share their memories of Oswaldo and Harold:

In this month in memory of Oswaldo and Harold we invite those who knew them to send an article or chronicle with anecdotes related to them (between 260-400 words long). 

 The first Captive Nations Week was in 1959 and President Eisenhower issued a proclamation that announced in part:

Whereas it is appropriate and proper to manifest to the peoples of the captive nations the support of the Government and the people of the United States of America for their just aspirations for freedom and national independence; and
Whereas by a joint resolution approved July 17, 1959, the Congress has authorized and requested the President of the United States of America to issue a proclamation designating the third week in July 1959 as "Captive Nations Week," and to issue a similar proclamation each year until such time as freedom and independence shall have been achieved for all the captive nations of the world.

Cuba remains a captive nation in 2016 along with China, Laos, North Korea, Vietnam and too many others.On July 13 in front of the Cuba Embassy in Washington, DC and at Florida International University activists held a 13 minute moment of silence in memory of martyrs Oswaldo, Harold and 37 tugboat massacre victims all murdered by the Castro regime in the month of July.

On July 22nd in Miami, FL USA; Madrid, Spain and Santiago, Chile masses will be held in memory of two victims of communism Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, and Harold Cepero Escalante murdered on that day four years ago.

Whether or not you are in the area please say a prayer for Cuban martyrs Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, and Harold Cepero Escalante. If you are in the area then join in a Mass for the memory of these two Cuban martyrs for freedom.

In Madrid on July 22, 2016 at 20:40 in the Church of San Fermín de los Navarros there is a Mass in memory of Oswaldo and Harold.

Church of San Fermín de los Navarros

In Miami, Florida on July 22nd at 8:00pm at Our Lady of Charity located at 3609 South Miami Ave Miami, Fl. 33133 there is a Mass in memory of Oswaldo and Harold.

Our Lady of Charity (La Ermita) in Miami, FL

In Santiago, Chile on July 20 at 19:00 in the Latin American Parish on Avenida Bustamante 180 Providencia there is a Mass in memory of Oswaldo and Harold.