February 13, 2007

Cuban Memorial, February 16-18

For those of you in the Miami area, I pass along the following information I received via e-mail:

The fifth Cuban Memorial will be held February 16-18 at Tamiami Park, Miami.

During three days, this symbolic cemetery will give testament to the world of the thousands of victims of the Castro dictatorship. Each documented victim will have a cross with his/her name together with the date and location of death. Almost 10,000 crosses will be planted under a larger cross symbolizing the many more victims who remain unaccounted for.

People of all ages and different nationalities -executed, assassinated, disappeared, killed in prison, lost as sea, or who gave their lives fighting for freedom in Cuba- will be honored with this sober memorial. Victims’ loved ones will, as in prior years, come bearing flowers to place by their cross. For many, what has become an annual ritual offers the only opportunity they have had to honor their dead. Many more visitors from the community come to pay their homage and witness this moving sight.

The field of crosses will be open to the public on Friday, 2/16, from noon to 6PM, Saturday 2/17 from 9AM to 8PM, and Sunday 2/18 from 9AM to 5PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the Cuba Archive project (www.CubaArchive.org), which provides its lists of victims for this event, will be collecting testimony from witnesses and survivors to continue its work documenting the cost in lives of the Cuban Revolution.

Tamiami Park is located at 11201 S.W. 24th St. (Coral Way and 107th Ave. / entry through 112th Ave.).