The regular lunch crowd at La Churreria Restaurant and Cafeteria on 33rd and Bergenline Avenue in Union City had to find other accommodations Wednesday as the eatery hosted an event to celebrate “Cuban Heritage Day,” attended by Gov. Chris Christie.
Christie was in town to announce the signing of a state proclamation that will designate every May 20 to be “Cuban Heritage Day” in New Jersey.
“I’m proud to be governor of a state that recognizes and celebrates our diversity,” said Christie.
Union City Mayor Brian Stack and West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega helped celebrate the day, which honors who have fought and continue to fight for the independence of Cuba. The island nation is currently run by Communist party head Raul Castro.
“In Cuba, we get arrested and mistreated for suggesting the freedom of our political prisoners.” – Dolia Leal Francisco
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Stack said on Wednesday that the governor’s action was important to remind everyone of the struggles still going on in Cuba.
He added that he hopes the symbolism of such a powerful political figure will put some pressure on the national stage for action.
A day of reflection
A main fighter for Cuban freedom was the late Jose Marti, after whom a middle school in Union City is named.
At Wednesday’s event, Christie equated Marti to the “George Washington of Cuba” and said that politicians at all levels of government need to use their voices to make sure that the tragedies still occurring in Cuba are not forgotten. Christie cited a lack of free speech, free press, and private enterprise on the island.
He said the day should be one of reflection on the basic human rights given to everyone by God and an acknowledgement that “freedom loving people” will not rest until everyone can enjoy the same freedoms.
Christie said that although he took six years of Spanish in school, he can’t speak a word of it. But he did know one phrase. He ended his speech with, “Viva Cuba Libre!”
National attention
At the event, local resident Matthew Perez presented the governor with a Cuban flag and book written by a woman who had been imprisoned in a Cuban jail. He said that those who love freedom in Cuba are still rotting in jails, walking the streets in white, and holding hunger strikes.
In February, political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo died after he spent nearly three months on a hunger strike in Cuba.
Wednesday’s event garnered a national spotlight and resulted in a flurry of activity from Cuban exile groups in Hudson County and beyond seeking support from political leaders at all levels of government to bring attention to human rights in Cuba.
Perez said he fears that Guillermo Farinas, who began a hunger strike the day after Tamayo died, may be the next to perish.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.
The ‘Ladies in White’
In relation to the cause of Cuban freedom, solidarity marches occurred throughout Hudson County last month for the “Damas en Blanco,” otherwise known as “Ladies in White,” an international group formed in Havana in April 2003 by the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts of the members of dissidents arrested by Cuban authorities.
The group conducts regular, peaceful protests calling for the unconditional release of political prisoners in Cuba. Dressed in white, they attend church and then march silently through the streets carrying photographs of their imprisoned family members.
The color white was chosen to symbolize peace. But on multiple occasions, members of the group have been physically removed during their peaceful protests in Cuba.
West New York Mayor Sal Vega joined in solidarity with the ladies last month, marching with them and acknowledging their sacrifice in a special ceremony.
“I am overjoyed by the generous support of the mayor and his administration, something that I did not expect,” said Dolia Leal Francisco, the founding member of the group. “In Cuba, we get arrested and mistreated for suggesting the freedom of our political prisoners.”
Leal also accepted an honorary resolution on behalf of her group from the Hudson County Freeholders earlier this month.
The efforts by the Ladies in White have garnered worldwide recognition and support, including the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in December 2005.
Cuban exiles around the world are conducting a campaign to bolster support for the Ladies in White to be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.