Commissioner Diaz honors Cuba’s Damas de Blanco

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – The Miami-Dade County Commission on June 19 approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to recognize the Cuban human rights group Las Damas de Blanco on their being named winners of the 2018 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.

“These courageous ladies embody the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people, and they deserve to be honored by the rest of the world for bringing attention to the ongoing tyranny with their eloquent silent protests,” Commissioner Diaz said.

Formed in 2003, Las Damas de Blanco, Spanish for Ladies in White, is composed of female relatives of imprisoned political prisoners who advocate for the release of all political prisoners in Cuba and for the freedom of the Cuban people. Members of the group attend weekly Sunday masses in white dresses at the Church of Santa Rita in Havana and then march silently and peacefully through the streets of Havana holding photos of their imprisoned relatives.

Despite peaceful protests, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch 2018 World Report have both reported that the Cuban police and law enforcement officials routinely harass and detain members of Las Damas de Blanco.

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, but the Cuban government will not allow them to leave the island to accept the prize.