They repressed in Cuba a march for the rights of sexual minorities

Activists from the gay community of Cuba were repressed by the political police during a demonstration in Havana. The march was called by independent sectors after the cancellation of the annual Gay Pride March organized by the National Center for Sex Education (Cenebad), led by the state and led by Mariela Castro, daughter of the late Fidel.

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 central park of the old city of Havana. Despite its absence, it was initially without incident. About three hundred people marched in the city center, in 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 rainbow flags and the cry of "Yes it was possible!" and other chants, the crowd walked peacefully and unequivocally in the midst of a strong police presence until the end of this avenue, where it was intercepted by police officers and the Police of the state, the political police of the communist regime. It was then that the clashes began, the authorities having ordered the protesters to disperse on the grounds that it was an "unauthorized" march, while several demonstrations began. among them replied that they did not need any authorization to exercise their right to walk around 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 a bus with many plainclothes police who dispersed the march between the angry protests of the badistants. Finally, dozens of protesters decided to sit down and "kiss" in the middle of Paseo del Prado.

The suspension announced this week of the "Conga Against Homophobia" leader with the argument that the country is going through a serious economic crisis has caused a lot of discomfort in the LGTBI collective, which has asked why there were other mbadive activities like the recent Parade of Workers Day.