There will be a peaceful civic march despite the refusal of the Cuban government

They threaten one of the promoters of the march against repression in Cuba 0:57

(CNN Spanish) -

The leader of a civic group that requested permission to carry out a peaceful march in Cuba in November, to demand respect for their rights, assured CNN on Wednesday that the members of the group will take to the streets to demonstrate, without Importantly, the island's government authorities denied their endorsement of the activity and even classified it as having destabilizing purposes.

"We believe that the government's refusal not only violates our human rights, but also the Constitution itself," Yunior García, the founder of the Archipelago civic group, said by telephone from Havana.

"It is an extremely politicized response, a slanderous response, because they accuse us of mercenarism or of ties with organizations or governments that do not exist, therefore we do not recognize the legitimacy of that denial. Marching is a right and should not be a privilege alone. of those who sympathize with the regime, "added Yunior.

The comments by García, a playwright and activist, come hours after the Havana Administration denied a request that he and several people presented to demonstrate in November "to demand that all the rights of all Cubans be respected, for the liberation of political prisoners and for the solution of our differences through democratic and peaceful means, "Archipiélago explained on social media when it submitted the request in September.

In their refusal, which was published in official government media, the Cuban authorities indicate that "legitimacy is not recognized in the reasons given for the march. The promoters and their public projections, as well as the links of some with subversive organizations or agencies funded by the US government, "although no further details are given.

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The note adds that the march received the support of US officials and entities "that encourage actions against the Cuban people, try to destabilize the country and urge military intervention."

This Wednesday, García told CNN that he recognizes that there will be risks when going out, that he cannot guarantee how many people will participate because, according to him, many are afraid of how the authorities may act, but that it is something they will do the same.

"More than a summons, we are publicly announcing a personal decision. In other words, we are not saying to others: 'go out on the street', we are saying: 'we are going to go out on the street', the decision that others make It is his decision, said García, who assured that other groups and individuals had already submitted permits to carry out marches in other regions on the same day, but that they were also denied.

"The municipal governments notified a decision that is national. Decisions in Cuba are made by the central command," Yunior said.

A request for comment sent by CNN to the Government of Cuba through its consulate in Washington had not been responded to on Wednesday.

García added that the importance of the demonstration, which he assured that it will take place in a peaceful manner, is because "in this country, never in 62 years has the Government allowed a demonstration and we have two options: either we stay that way, and we inherit that burden from our children, our grandchildren, or we take a position of courage, of civility. "

"We are aware that we can go to jail, but we are much more afraid of living in prison in a country that crushes your rights," Garcia added.

Cuba