Cuban police crack down on "unauthorized" gay marches in Havana

LGTBI activists and Cuban state security agents clashed Saturday at an illegal protest held after the cancellation of the annual gay pride march organized by the National Center for the Protection of Women. Sex Education (Cenebad), directed by Mariela Castro.

During the clashes, there were apparently no injuries, but at least two people were arrested, including one, environmental activist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola.

The march was convened by the independent civil society of the Havana Old Town Central Park and, although not authorized, it was initially developed without incident, with about three hundred people march in the Paseo del Prado, towards Malecón.

Several participants told the press that they were not demonstrating "against anything" but "in favor" of their rights and stressed that it was a peaceful celebration. .

With the flags of the rainbow and the cry of "yes it was possible!" and other cheerful songs, the crowd walked peacefully and without incident amidst a strong police presence until the end of this avenue, where they were intercepted by police and police officers. security of the state.

It was then that the clashes began, the authorities having asked the protesters to disperse. stating that it was an unauthorized walk, while several of the activists responded that they did not need permission to exercise their right to walk in the capital.

The clashes, which resulted in at least two arrests, rushed when the protesters ignored police warnings and tried to continue their route to the Malecón, supposed to go to a party scheduled in the official agenda events of the Cuban Rights Day LGTBI organized by Cenebad.

Arrived at the place arrived an urban transport bus with many police and plainclothes officers who went to disperse the march between the angry protests of the badistants, according to witnesses. EFE.

Finally, dozens of protesters decided to sit down and "kiss" in the middle of Paseo del Prado.

The suspension announced this week of the traditional "conga against homophobia" with the argument that the country is preparing to face a serious economic crisis has caused a great discomfort in the collective LGTBI, He wondered why other mbad activities, such as the recent Labor Day parade, had taken place.

The decision was made by the Cuban Ministry of Health (Minsap), the governing body of Cenebad, "given the current situation in the country," according to this entity.

"The Cuban Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia will not comply with the Minsap guidelines this year, in certain circumstances that do not favor its successful development, in Havana and Camagüey (center), without implying any not take it back for next year, "explained Cenebad.

The institution, led by the badologist and MP Mariela Castro, daughter of former President Raúl Castro, insisted that "new tensions in the international and regional context directly and indirectly affect" the international community. island, with "tangible and intangible impacts". for his daily life and the "implementation of state policies".

The parade was reportedly the first to be held after the approval of the new Cuban Constitution in April, which initially included an amendment that opened the doors to same-bad marriage on the island but was not included in the final text.

The LGTBI collective has gained visibility over the last ten years Cubawhere, in the first years following the triumph of the Revolution (1959), homobaduals were persecuted and sent to labor camps called Military Production Assistance Units (UMAP), considered one of the darkest chapters in recent history on the island.