Dr. Yang Jianli’s Speech at “Remembering The Legacy Of Liu Xiaobo”

Vigil in Washington D.C. for Chinese dissident, human rights defender and Nobel Laureate who died after prolonged imprisonment in China for nonviolently advocating for freedom in China. Yang Jianli spoke during the event organized by Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

Marion Smith (VOC), Dr. Yang Jianli (Initiatives for China), John Suarez (FCF)

Dr. Yang Jianli’s Speech at “Remembering The Legacy Of Liu Xiaobo” 

Hosted by Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Monday, July 17th, 2017 at Victims of Communism Memorial

 By Yang Jianli

Tonight we mourn the tragic passing of Liu Xiaobo, a great loss to the people of China, indeed, to the entire humanity.

Liu Xiaobo was not only the best known freedom and democracy fighter of China, but, in life as well as in death, he represents the best of what China can ever be.

In April 1989, when the Tiananmen democracy movement just broke out, he returned to Beijing from New York and became the most important intellectual leader of the movement. After the Tiananmen Massacre, he shouldered both moral and political responsibilities and continued to fight from inside China while many others left the country and even abandoned the movement. He was in and out prison and spent half of the past 28 years after the Tiananmen Massacre in incarceration. Never wavering in spirit, he shared the sufferings of his compatriots and gave his life for them. He is a martyr and saint.

Yes. Liu Xiaobo is a martyr and saint who possesses a moral authority that his persecutors can only envy. His legacy of love, justice, peace and sacrifice will surely far outlive the deeds of those who persecuted him.

That is exactly why the leaders of China are so afraid of him, so afraid of his words and deeds, and so afraid of his legacy. They are afraid of the inevitable comparison between Liu Xiaobo’s Chinese dream and Xi Jinping’s; they are afraid of the unavoidable likening of the Chinese Communist regime to the Nazis regime because Liu Xiaobo has been the first Nobel Peace Prize winner who died under confinement since Carl von Ossietzky, a German pacifist and an opponent of the Nazis, who died in 1938.

The CCP regime took pains to show the world it was strong and not afraid of Liu Xiaobo, yet its actions suggested otherwise. The CCP regime took pains to show the world that China is rising as a great civilized nation, yet its actions suggested otherwise. No nation that routinely persecutes, tortures and murders its best people can ever be described as strong, as great; no nation that does not allow a man such as Liu Xiaobo to die as a freeman is going to rise as a respected world power. Never.

In death, Liu Xiaobo has overcome the limits of time and space. The leaders of China wanted to bury him, trying make him disappear all together. But these cowards failed to understand that Liu Xiaobo is a seed. Where you bury him, there he grows. He is everywhere and forever.

Source: Initiatives for China

 

20 years after the July 13, 1994 "13 de Marzo" Tugboat Massacre: Calls to Action

This page will be updated with new events to pay homage to the victims of the "13 de Marzo" tugboat that was attacked and sunk by agents of the Cuban State on July 13, 1994 causing the deaths of 37 men, women, and children. Twenty years later and those responsible have not been held accountable or the victims compensated in any way. Twenty years without justice. Twenty years of impunity.

Below the events are listed in the chronological order that they were made known to this blog:

 "Lights of Liberty Flotilla in Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Massacre of the "13 de Marzo" Tugboat Sinking

In the Florida Straits and in Miami the Democracy Movement is organizing a flotilla on Saturday, July 12, 2014 called the "Lights of Liberty Flotilla in Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Massacre of the "13 de Marzo" tugboat sinking that will leave Key West from the Key West City Bight Marina and go in front of Cuba on Saturday, July 12, 2014 to hold a ceremony in memory of the victims of the massacre and others murdered by Castroism and to launch powerful lights of freedom, which will be seen from Havana and other points of Cuba. Inside Cuba, members of the opposition and the Democracy Movement led in the island by  Jose Diaz Silva and the people in general will draw near to the Malecon and other points on the coast with candles and flowerr to throw them into the sea and to see the "Lights of Freedom" launched by the flotilla.

For more information visit their facebook page or call 305-264-7200.


Twenty minutes of silence for 20 years without justice: Silent Vigil on July 13 at 3:00pm

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The Free Cuba Foundation has made a global call  for people of good will to hold a twenty minute moment of silence asking: "Please share and encourage friends wherever they are on July 13, 2014 at 3pm to join in a 20 minute moment of silence. Gather in a group or individually and take a photo at the end of the vigil holding up the above image calling for justice or whatever you have at hand. "  On Sunday at 3:00pm members of the Free Cuba Foundation will be gathering at the main fountain at Florida International University (rain or shine) for a twenty minute silent vigil.

For more information on activities in your area visit their facebook page or e-mail them

Mothers and Women Against Repression (MAR) will Remember Victims of the "13 de Marzo" Tugboat Massacre

On Sunday July 13, 2014- the twentieth anniversary of this crime against humanity. - MAR for Cuba will hold a rosary for the victims of the"13 de Marzo" tugboat massacre, on the grounds of the Cuban Memorial Monument, that is located on Coral Way & SW 112 Avenue, at 10 AM, after which a wreath of flowers will be deposited in their memory.

For more information contact  Sylvia G. Iriondo at 305-934-7302 or visit their website.



Collective Action "A light for mine" in tribute to victims of the "13 de Marzo"tugboat and all Cubans who've lost their lives at sea at dusk on July 12, 2014

Estado de Sats and For Another Cuba have called for an international campaign. The collective action “A light for mine” will be a tribute to the victims of the tugboat “13 de Marzo” and all Cubans who have lost their lives at sea, trying to escape a suffocating reality during 54 years.  It is also a tribute to the Cuban family and a call to hope and spiritual rebuilding of our nation.

 
This July 12 on the eve of the anniversary, at  dusk Cubans, anywhere in the world, will light a candle in front of the ocean , a bridge, a lake, a river, on your door, balcony or in the privacy of your home (in this case for the repression that doubles in Cuba on this date) For Cuba's disconnect with the world, Cubans living abroad can help promote this symbolic action inviting relatives and friends on the island to participate and share in turn photos and pictures of the same in the social networks.

Let's light a candle this July 12 to remember the friend, the family member who didn’t make it, the son who never appeared.

La acción colectiva ‘’Una luz por los míos ’’ será un homenaje a las víctimas del remolcador 13 de Marzo y a todos los cubanos que han perdido su vida en el mar, tratando de escapar de una realidad asfixiante durante 54 años. Es también tributo a la familia cubana y un llamado a la esperanza y a la reconstrucción espiritual de nuestra nación.
Este 12 Julio vísperas del aniversario, al anochecer, los cubanos, en cualquier lugar del mundo, prenderán una vela frente al mar, un puente, un lago, un río, en su puerta, balcón o en la intimidad de su hogar ( en este caso por la represión que se redobla en Cuba para esta fecha )
Por la desconexión de Cuba con el mundo, los cubanos que viven fuera pueden ayudar a promover esta acción simbólica invitando a familiares y amigos dentro de la isla a participar y compartir a su vez fotos e imágenes de la misma en las redes sociales.
Encendamos este 12 de Julio una vela para recordar al amigo, al familiar que no llegó, al hijo que nunca apareció.
Una vela como denuncia.
Una vela contra la desmemoria.
Una vela por el futuro.
Una luz por los míos

- See more at: http://www.estadodesats.com/2014/06/una-luz-por-los-mios.html#sthash.JZOcqy3a.dpuf

For more information on the collective action visit their campaign page  or Por Otra Cuba

20th Anniversary of the abominable sinking of the "13 de Marzo" tugboat off the coast of Havana on July 13, 1994

Our Lady of Charity  (La Ermita) is holding a Special mass and vigil: 

We will join together in prayer for the victims and their families and for Liberty and Justice to soon reach Cuba.

Mass: Saturday July 12, 2014
Location: 3609 South Miami Ave Miami, Fl. 33133
Time: 8:00pm

After the Mass united with our brothers in the Island and in different parts of the world we will have a candlelight vigil in their memory in the Sea wall of Our Lady of Charity. 

Don't miss it!

For more information on the Mass and vigil visit their facebook page or official website.

Human Rights Foundation and Cuban Democratic Directorate call for Twenty Minutes of Silence for Twenty Years of Impunity

The Cuban Democratic Directorate (CDD) and the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), have called for a symbolic nonviolent protest action in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the murder of 37 Cuban passengers of the "13 de Marzo" Tugboat, who on July 13, 1994 were killed by agents of the Cuban government for trying to escape the island. The demonstration will take place on July 10 at 12:00 noon outside the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cuba to the United Nations (UN), located at No. 315 Lexington Avenue in New York City. Human rights activists, members of international civil society and Cuban exiles will gather in front of the embassy in order to hold twenty minutes of silence for each of the twenty years that this crime has remained unpunished.

For more information on the silent vigil visit the official announcement in English or Spanish and for additional questions contact: Jamie Hancock, jamie@thehrf.org, 212-246-8486 or
Janisset Rivero, jrrivero1969@gmail.com, 305-220-2713

  
CUBA: Young Leaders Group, Center for a Free Cuba and the Cuban Democratic Directorate Call for Twenty Minutes of Silence for Twenty Years of Impunity

Human rights and civil society organizations have called for a symbolic nonviolent protest action in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the murder of 37 Cuban passengers of the “13 de Marzo” Tugboat, who on July 13, 1994 were killed by agents of the Cuban government for trying to escape the island. The demonstration will take place on July 10 at 12:00 noon outside of the Cuban Interests Section located on 2630 16th Street NW in Washington DC. Human rights activists, members of international civil society and Cuban exiles will gather in front of the embassy in order to hold twenty minutes of silence for each of the twenty years that this crime has remained unpunished.

For more information contact:

Frank Calzon, Center for a Free Cuba 202- 427-3875

Jose Luis Garza, Cuban Democratic Directorate 305-220-2713

Rudy Mayor, U.S. Cuba Democracy PAC’s Young Leaders Group 786-393-9068

A 24 hour Fast & Six minute Silent Vigil for Justice

"To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” - Elie Wiesel, Night

Silent vigil at FIU main fountain

Reading the blog entry A Call to Take Actions for Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata & Brothers to the Rescue Martyrs published by the Free Cuba Foundation inspired me to propose an action on behalf of Wilman Villar Mendoza, Orlando Zapata, Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr. that involves resolving to fast for 24 hours and engaging in a six-minute silent vigil for justice.

The fast will begin at 3:00pm on February 23, 2012 that marks the moment two years ago when Orlando Zapata Tamayo died after 83 days on hunger strike. It will end 24 hours later on February 24 moments before the moments 3:21pm and 3:27pm when two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down out of the sky in international airspace on orders of the Castro brothers extrajudicially killing Carlos Costa, Pablo Morales, Mario De La Peña, and Armando Alejandre Jr.

Silent vigil at UM at the Rock

On February 24 between 3:21pm and 3:27pm wherever you are in the world take part in a silent vigil for justice. Either joining together with others at a public location or individually wherever you are in the world to remember this injustice and offer your prayers in solidarity and for justice for these victims of oppression.

If you wish to take part then just tweet, e-mail, and blog about your intention to do this and invite others to take part. Please use the tag #fast4justice or #ayunoporlajusticia in Spanish and if you plan on taking part in the vigil then help spread the word with the tag #silentvigil4justice or in Spanish #vigiliaporlajusticia.

If you are in Miami, Florida then you can join members of the FIU community in a silent vigil at the main campus on 107th Avenue and SW 8 Street at 3:15pm sharp. In the evening at 7:30pm at St. Brendan Catholic Church you can join with family members of the Carlos, Pablo, Mario, and Armando in a special Mass.

Silent vigil at FIU on February 24, 2011

Memory, truth and justice are necessary components for national reconciliation and liberation. Join in these acts of remembrance that demand justice and in doing so provide a small pebble in the edifice of a future free Cuba.

The late Czech President Vaclav Havel observed in 1968 that: "Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible political effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance." History proved him right three decades later. Do your part. Be the change that you want to see in the world.

A vigil for Laura Pollán in Coral Gables one week after her passing

“If we must give our own lives in pursuit of the freedom of our Cuba that it be what God wants.” (September 24, 2011)

Vigil for Laura Pollán in Coral Gables at Merrick Park on October 21

Last night in Coral Gables on the one week anniversary of her death there was an act of remembrance for Laura Pollán and in solidarity with the Ladies in White who continue the nonviolent struggle for freedom in Cuba. An account of her final days was presented followed by readings of quotes by Laura from different women. Recorded messages from Bertha Soler and Sara Martha Fonseca for the activity were played and the event concluded listening to a past recording of Laura Pollán speaking.

Below are photos and video excerpts taken at the vigil. Along with quotes by Laura.



They tried to silence 75 voices, but now there are more than 75 voices shouting to the world the injustices the government has committed. (2004)

"We fight for the freedom of our husbands, the union of our families. We love our men." (2005)



Physically, I am tired. But I am still fighting, as long as I am alive and my husband is jailed, I am going to keep fighting. – Laura Pollan (2006)


“We are calling for freedom for all political prisoners.” (2006)



"They can either kill us, put us in jail or release them. We will never stop marching no matter what happens." (2010)

"We are going to continue. We are fighting for freedom and human rights.” (September 24, 2011)



"As long as this government is around there will be prisoners because while they've let some go, they've put others in jail. It is a never-ending story." (2011)

"We are not going to stop. If you have imprisoned our sisters thinking that we would give up, they are mistaken. We are very united (...) all the women's movements are very close." (October 2, 2011)




“We ask on this Christmas Day for freedom for our political prisoners and for the Cuban people to have a better future.” (2005)


In the same manner that the vigil concluded with the words of Laura so does this blog entery.