LA HABANA, August 28, (Miriam García Chávez, for CubaNet) - The trial of Reinaldo Alfaro, took place this morning at the Audencia de La Habana, (courthouse,) on Prado and Teniente Rey, (cross-streets,) amidst an emotional and massive demonstration, in this capital. The authorities did not permit anyone in the building except family and witnesses.
Alfaro García, founder of the Association for the Struggle Before the National Injustice, "Asociación de Lucha Frente a la Injusticia Nacional," (ALFIN) and Executive member of the Democratic Solidarity Party, was presented to trail after 15 months in detainment and was condemned to 3 years imprisonment.
A large group of opposition leaders and members of independent groups, that wanted to attend the trail, gathered outside in the street singing the national anthem and shouting: " Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!", " Long Live Human Rights,", "Long Live democracy!", "Democracy for Cuba!"
Neither the police nor State Security could contain the demonstrators that paralyzed the traffic when authorities exited with Reinaldo Alfaro hidden in a car, after which the demonstrators followed.
Moments of great emotion was produced when Roberto de Miranda, founder of the College of Pedagogues, asked for prayer and the multitude began an Our Father, to which the Rapid Response Brigade responded with "Long Live Fidel Castro!" To this, the demonstrators responded with expressions of " Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!", "Enough Already!", "Long live human rights!", "Liberty for the people!", "Down with the tyrant!", "Down with the dictatorship!"
Present were numerous independent Cuban journalists and all the foreign press accredited in Cuba, and likewise various diplomats.
During the demonstration the peaceful opposition leader, Marisela Pompa, began to sing a popular song by Willy Chirino, to which the demonstrators joined, meanwhile a member of the National Revolutionary Police said to Carmen Landa, financier of the College of Pedagogues: " Shout more, shout more, shout harder!" Amnesty International declared Reinaldo Alfaro a prisoner of conscience and on August 18 had launched an international campaign in favor of his release.
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