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RESOLUTION HONORING LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2018 MILTON FRIEDMAN PRIZE FOR ADVANCING LIBERTY

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WHEREAS, on May 17, 2018, Las Damas de Blanco was selected as the recipient of the 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty for their efforts to fight for freedom in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, Las Damas de Blanco � also known as the Ladies in White � is a human rights activist group composed of female relatives of imprisoned political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and peaceful dissidents in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the group was created in 2003 during the �Black Spring� in Cuba, a time in which over 75 human rights activists and journalists were arrested and sentenced to terms of up to 28 years in prison; and
WHEREAS, members of the group attend weekly Sunday masses wearing white dresses at the Church of Santa Rita in Havana, Cuba, and then march silently and peacefully through the streets of Havana holding photos of their imprisoned relatives; and
WHEREAS, Las Damas de Blanco advocate for the release of all political prisoners and for the freedom of the Cuban people; and
WHEREAS, despite peaceful protests, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch 2018 World Report have both noted that the Cuban police and law enforcement officials routinely harass and detain members of Las Damas de Blanco; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Las Damas de Blanco was also selected to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, but the group was not permitted to leave the island to receive the award; and
WHEREAS, the group has similarly been prohibited by the Cuban regime from leaving the island to accept the 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty; and
WHEREAS, this Board remains supportive of the efforts of Las Damas de Blanco and would like to honor the group�s members for their activism and as the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board Honors Las Damas de Blanco for receiving the 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty and commends the group�s commitment to peacefully fight for the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people.