Protesters Against Cuba-U.S. Plan Gather In Miami

[CherryPanda]

Cuban opposition leaders from the island joined Cuban American politicians and activists on Saturday, pledging to oppose President Barack Obama's plan to normalize relations with the communist nation and disputing the notion that their community is split by a generational divide.

"The opposition will continue fighting, with or without Barack Obama," Cuban activist Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, known by his nickname "Antunez," said to cheers.

The gathering at a Little Havana park drew more than 200 people, largely older Cuban exiles who chanted "Obama, traitor!" and waved U.S. and Cuban flags. Some expressed disappointment that the protest was not larger; the demonstrators filled about half the park.

"The mentality is, 'Hey, we're going to be able to buy Cuban cigars and rum.' Well, it's not a happy thing for us," said Armando Merino, 68, who came to the U.S. at age 14. "I'm here because for the Cuban people, my family in Cuba, they are not able to protest."

The protest featured two high-profile Cuban dissidents: Garcia Perez, who spent 17 years in jail for his activities and has gone on hunger strikes to protest the treatment of political prisoners, and Berta Soler, spokeswoman for the island-based Ladies in White, a group of Cuban mothers and wives of dissidents arrested in the 2003 government crackdown there.

Soler said a normalized relationship between Cuba and the U.S. would "perfect the repressive mechanism of the Cuban government."

Protesters Against Cuba-U.S. Plan Gather In Miami

I just don’t understand these people. Why are they protesting? What is wrong with relations between two countries getting better? Or do they want the Iraqi scenario instead? And how can the relations with US provoke the repressions?

Yes, it may seem that US is going to give money to the Cuban government, not to the people. But you’ve got to start somewhere. And being friends with the government is a good start. Much better than sabotaging it. When you are friends with some government and give money to it, it’s a leverage to influence the decisions it makes. And if US government does want to help the people of Cuba, that’s one of the civilized ways to do it.

So why are those people protesting?

 

[gipper]

You need to research the tyrannical actions of the Castro brothers since they took power, and the suffering of the Cuban people under the Castro dictatorship.

It is there that you will find your answer.

 

[Katzndogz]

Where are the people who were imagining that the Cubans in Miami were happy about this change?

The United States is going to pay the Castros to oppress the people. That's what this amounts to.

 

[Disir]

Cuban opposition leaders from the island joined Cuban American politicians and activists on Saturday, pledging to oppose President Barack Obama's plan to normalize relations with the communist nation and disputing the notion that their community is split by a generational divide.

"The opposition will continue fighting, with or without Barack Obama," Cuban activist Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, known by his nickname "Antunez," said to cheers.

The gathering at a Little Havana park drew more than 200 people, largely older Cuban exiles who chanted "Obama, traitor!" and waved U.S. and Cuban flags. Some expressed disappointment that the protest was not larger; the demonstrators filled about half the park.

"The mentality is, 'Hey, we're going to be able to buy Cuban cigars and rum.' Well, it's not a happy thing for us," said Armando Merino, 68, who came to the U.S. at age 14. "I'm here because for the Cuban people, my family in Cuba, they are not able to protest."

The protest featured two high-profile Cuban dissidents: Garcia Perez, who spent 17 years in jail for his activities and has gone on hunger strikes to protest the treatment of political prisoners, and Berta Soler, spokeswoman for the island-based Ladies in White, a group of Cuban mothers and wives of dissidents arrested in the 2003 government crackdown there.

Soler said a normalized relationship between Cuba and the U.S. would "perfect the repressive mechanism of the Cuban government."

Protesters Against Cuba-U.S. Plan Gather In Miami

I just don’t understand these people. Why are they protesting? What is wrong with relations between two countries getting better? Or do they want the Iraqi scenario instead? And how can the relations with US provoke the repressions?

Yes, it may seem that US is going to give money to the Cuban government, not to the people. But you’ve got to start somewhere. And being friends with the government is a good start. Much better than sabotaging it. When you are friends with some government and give money to it, it’s a leverage to influence the decisions it makes. And if US government does want to help the people of Cuba, that’s one of the civilized ways to do it.

So why are those people protesting?

The Cubans in Miami are mostly those that came after Bastista the Butcher was overthrown. There are three waves of Cubans. They used to be quite powerful up until the demographic change. They want nothing less than overthrow of the government. Which most Americans are gearing up for as well in many different ways. But, because there weren't any stipulations placed on the Cuban government they are pissed.

 

[kiwiman127]

Cuban opposition leaders from the island joined Cuban American politicians and activists on Saturday, pledging to oppose President Barack Obama's plan to normalize relations with the communist nation and disputing the notion that their community is split by a generational divide.

"The opposition will continue fighting, with or without Barack Obama," Cuban activist Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, known by his nickname "Antunez," said to cheers.

The gathering at a Little Havana park drew more than 200 people, largely older Cuban exiles who chanted "Obama, traitor!" and waved U.S. and Cuban flags. Some expressed disappointment that the protest was not larger; the demonstrators filled about half the park.

"The mentality is, 'Hey, we're going to be able to buy Cuban cigars and rum.' Well, it's not a happy thing for us," said Armando Merino, 68, who came to the U.S. at age 14. "I'm here because for the Cuban people, my family in Cuba, they are not able to protest."

The protest featured two high-profile Cuban dissidents: Garcia Perez, who spent 17 years in jail for his activities and has gone on hunger strikes to protest the treatment of political prisoners, and Berta Soler, spokeswoman for the island-based Ladies in White, a group of Cuban mothers and wives of dissidents arrested in the 2003 government crackdown there.

Soler said a normalized relationship between Cuba and the U.S. would "perfect the repressive mechanism of the Cuban government."

Protesters Against Cuba-U.S. Plan Gather In Miami

I just don’t understand these people. Why are they protesting? What is wrong with relations between two countries getting better? Or do they want the Iraqi scenario instead? And how can the relations with US provoke the repressions?

Yes, it may seem that US is going to give money to the Cuban government, not to the people. But you’ve got to start somewhere. And being friends with the government is a good start. Much better than sabotaging it. When you are friends with some government and give money to it, it’s a leverage to influence the decisions it makes. And if US government does want to help the people of Cuba, that’s one of the civilized ways to do it.

So why are those people protesting?

It's clear why these people are protesting. They are of the old school thought of continuing of punishing Cuba and it's citizens for being Communist. They want to continue this process, if though it's a failure.
This group are a group that represents a minority view and less than 30% of Americans support this group's objective.
Even though I don't support this group of protesters, I support their right to protest, it's called free speech and the right to assemble.

 

[usmcstinger]

Do you know that in Cuba only certain people can keep US Dollars?

 

[TheOldSchool]

Cuban opposition leaders from the island joined Cuban American politicians and activists on Saturday, pledging to oppose President Barack Obama's plan to normalize relations with the communist nation and disputing the notion that their community is split by a generational divide.

"The opposition will continue fighting, with or without Barack Obama," Cuban activist Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, known by his nickname "Antunez," said to cheers.

The gathering at a Little Havana park drew more than 200 people, largely older Cuban exiles who chanted "Obama, traitor!" and waved U.S. and Cuban flags. Some expressed disappointment that the protest was not larger; the demonstrators filled about half the park.

"The mentality is, 'Hey, we're going to be able to buy Cuban cigars and rum.' Well, it's not a happy thing for us," said Armando Merino, 68, who came to the U.S. at age 14. "I'm here because for the Cuban people, my family in Cuba, they are not able to protest."

The protest featured two high-profile Cuban dissidents: Garcia Perez, who spent 17 years in jail for his activities and has gone on hunger strikes to protest the treatment of political prisoners, and Berta Soler, spokeswoman for the island-based Ladies in White, a group of Cuban mothers and wives of dissidents arrested in the 2003 government crackdown there.

Soler said a normalized relationship between Cuba and the U.S. would "perfect the repressive mechanism of the Cuban government."

Protesters Against Cuba-U.S. Plan Gather In Miami

I just don’t understand these people. Why are they protesting? What is wrong with relations between two countries getting better? Or do they want the Iraqi scenario instead? And how can the relations with US provoke the repressions?

Yes, it may seem that US is going to give money to the Cuban government, not to the people. But you’ve got to start somewhere. And being friends with the government is a good start. Much better than sabotaging it. When you are friends with some government and give money to it, it’s a leverage to influence the decisions it makes. And if US government does want to help the people of Cuba, that’s one of the civilized ways to do it.

So why are those people protesting?

It's clear why these people are protesting. They are of the old school thought of continuing of punishing Cuba and it's citizens for being Communist. They want to continue this process, if though it's a failure.
This group are a group that represents a minority view and less than 30% of Americans support this group's objective.
Even though I don't support this group of protesters, I support their right to protest, it's called free speech and the right to assemble.

I grew up in a family of Cuban-Americans who want continued failure in Cuba-U.S. relations. Their hate for not just Castro, but all Cubans still in Cuba is irrational.

 

[Katzndogz]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

 

[TheOldSchool]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

Cuba is good friends with your crush Putin. Are you worried this will hurt their friendship?

 

[Katzndogz]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

Cuba is good friends with your crush Putin. Are you worried this will hurt their friendship?

No because Putin will take full advantage of American stupidity. President Putin already has representatives in Cuba. He already has a military base there. President Putin and General Castro will have no problem sucker punching the American presidunce.

 

[Anathema]

Normalization of relations with a foreign nation, and especially a Communist country, is essentially acceptance of that Government and it's policies. Not that we should have relations with ANY foreign country, but definitely none of the Socialist or Communist nations

 

[TheOldSchool]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

Cuba is good friends with your crush Putin. Are you worried this will hurt their friendship?

No because Putin will take full advantage of American stupidity. President Putin already has representatives in Cuba. He already has a military base there. President Putin and General Castro will have no problem sucker punching the American presidunce.

Yes Putin and Russia have been taking advantage of the U.S. handing them Cuba for 50 years.

But I'm sure that's the outcome you're hoping for right Katz? Боже, храни Россию!

 

[kiwiman127]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

No, it's the far right that has back to the 50's with their commie pinko fear syndrome. Back in the 50's, because of the Red Scare, everyone was living in fear of a Communist Cuba. Well with 50 plus years of seeing not much of a threat to the US, most people fears have diminished. People have grown to realize that the Embargo has accomplished nothing. Plus people have seen countries who had a histories of suppression of freedom become free thanks to capitalism and increased wealth thanks to capitalism. Based on the huge success rate of introducing capitalism, I think most people think that's the way to go. Except for the folks who can't adjust to the times, factual history and the inability of not being so scared of the bogyman.
The left, center and even some people on the right support better relations with Cuba. It's called moving forward.

 

[Katzndogz]

Oh this is going to be too delicious to miss.

 

[Anathema]

No, it's the far right that has back to the 50's with their commie pinko fear syndrome. Back in the 50's, because of the Red Scare, everyone was living in fear of a Communist Cuba. Well with 50 plus years of seeing not much of a threat to the US, most people fears have diminished........

Yep. We've grown painfully blind to the threat of Socialism and Communism. We've normalized relations with China, Vietnam, Russia and others. We've accepted the continued growth of Socialism in Europe which has infiltrated the USA as well.

 

[Katzndogz]

China, Russia and Vietnam are not the same as Cuba. Cuba is more like Venezuela or North Korea.

At one time it was thought that Castro misery would die with the Castro brothers. Fidel's daughter left and works with the Cuban community in Miami. The mantle has gone instead to Mariel, Raul's daughter who shows promise of being worse than her father or uncle.

 

[kiwiman127]

No, it's the far right that has back to the 50's with their commie pinko fear syndrome. Back in the 50's, because of the Red Scare, everyone was living in fear of a Communist Cuba. Well with 50 plus years of seeing not much of a threat to the US, most people fears have diminished........

Yep. We've grown painfully blind to the threat of Socialism and Communism. We've normalized relations with China, Vietnam, Russia and others. We've accepted the continued growth of Socialism in Europe which has infiltrated the USA as well.

"We've accepted the continued growth of Socialism in Europe which has infiltrated the USA as well"

That was nice of the USA to accept the growth of socialism in Europe, Were we suppose to sanction Europe because of the growth of socialism?

 

[Anathema]

That was nice of the USA to accept the growth of socialism in Europe, Were we suppose to sanction Europe because of the growth of socialism?

Yes. At least politically if not via nuclear destruction.

 

[Katzndogz]

It might be different if Cuba had given a single concession. Release some political prisoners. Turn over felons convicted in the US. Allow some freedom of the press or the arts.

Cuba made no concessions at all. The inroads of capitalism do not exist beyond the minds of silly and air headed wishful thinkers.

 

[Katzndogz]

I remember when Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter who was going to bring democracy to Cuba. The Cuban people would finally have a share of the prosperity Batista had stolen from them.

The American left has gone past the cold war, past the revolution. The American left has gone all the way to the 50s.

Cuba is good friends with your crush Putin. Are you worried this will hurt their friendship?

No because Putin will take full advantage of American stupidity. President Putin already has representatives in Cuba. He already has a military base there. President Putin and General Castro will have no problem sucker punching the American presidunce.

Yes Putin and Russia have been taking advantage of the U.S. handing them Cuba for 50 years.

But I'm sure that's the outcome you're hoping for right Katz? Боже, храни Россию!

The outcome I am hoping for is that liberals get a massive punch to the gut. So hard that they never forget it.