Wednesday, May 21, will mark a “Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People.”  Democracy leaders and nongovernmental organizations around the world plan to demonstrate their support for human rights on the island to underscore the plight of prisoners of conscience and the lack of civil and political freedoms in Cuba.   Mid-May is particularly significant as Cubans across the island traditionally commemorate Cuban patriots who have suffered at the hands of the regime for the cause of freedom and human rights, including the anniversary of the death of Pedro Luis Boitel, a poet-activist who died on May 25, 1972 at age 39 while on a hunger strike in Cuba’s “Castle of the Prince” prison. The Day of Solidarity will demonstrate worldwide support for the efforts of the Cuban people to achieve genuine political and economic freedom in the country. 

• Hold a press event;
• Issue a statement;
• Sign and distribute the petition located at www.peticioncuba.org; and
• Work with and encourage other NGOs to organize events and issue statements, which
  • Highlight the deplorable human rights situation on the island;
  • Call for the unconditional release of the approximately 240 prisoners of conscience (including Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet) plus the additional 5,000 sentenced for “dangerousness;" and
  • Call on the Cuban government to allow its citizens to exercise internationally recognized civil and political rights and freedoms and call for a legitimate democratic transition in Cuba.