By Manuel Davio Orrio, Independent Cuban Journalist
HAVANA - The controversy between the government and the opposition in Cuba about the celebration of the 144th anniversary since the birth of Jose Marti, became evident when the authorities tried (and succeeded) in blocking several events organized by the opposition.
Despite the fact that it was about Marti, the government was relentless. Among the events that were blocked was one organized by the Popular Democratic Association (ADEPO). The president of ADEPO, Zoiris Aguilar Calleja, an attorney, and wife of Leonel Morejon Almagro a delegate from Concilio Cubano, received the following message from the authorities. "This type of day is celebrated by the revolutionaires, and not by "gusanos" (worms)."
Another function by the Teacher's Association of Cuba was thwarted, and the President of the Association, Heriberto de Sosa, and the directors of the Liberal Democratic Party of Cuba, Hector Maceda and Florentino Sosa were briefly detained.
According to Maceda, the room where the function was going to be held was forcibly attacked by police who stormed into the place en-masse.
A few days earlier, members of the Independent Teachers, Physicians, Engineers and Architects, were able to escape the police, who were waiting for them at the El Quijote park, in the well known La Rampa area, in Havana. They succeeded in holding an act of unification of the newly created Instituto de Integracion Cubanoamericano, on the steps of Havana's University.
A wreath was placed at the foot of the statue of Marti in that University by members of those associations. Another one was placed where the ashes of Fr. Felix Varela are kept, inside the Main Classroom of the University.
In Santiago de Cuba, members of the opposition were stopped from going to the Santa Efigenia Cemetery, where the remains of Jose Marti lie. But they were able to place a wreath at the Marti monument located near Victoriano Garzon Avenue.
At that place, nearly forty members of the opposition were able to shout "Viva Cuba Libre!", according to Mrs. Victoria Lopez de Rodriguez-Vega, who attended.
A group of school children appeared just in time , as if sent by Marti, to prevent a confrontation between members of the opposition and the rapid response brigade. This, paved the road so that an official from the political police would consent to the placement of the wreath, added Mrs. Lopez.
She also stated that the flowers placed by the opposition were later trampled upon, maybe by those who did not attend the mass celebrated at the church of San Francisco, where Father Medina talked about Marti's great love for all Cubans, and his insistence for not teaching the poisonous hatred among countrymen to children.
Other civic groups remembered Jose Marti in Santiago de Cuba. In the town of Cristo, the Masonic Lodge held a pilgrimage led by the venerable Miguel Rodriguez Navas, "reviving a lost tradition in that locality", declared Diosmel Rodriguez Vega, president of the Followers of Chibas movement.
Paradoxically, while the government focused on the official celebration, the "Torch March", the exile community also had its place in the festivities of Marti's birthday. Different sources pointed out that on January 27 and 28, the exiled singer Willie Chirino practically took over the streets of downtown Havana.
Chirino's music, played loudly at the food and beverage stands to brighten up the sales. His music was even heard at State establishments like the previously famous department store, Fin de Siglo.
Frezia, a Chilean communist visiting Cuba said that the phenomenon of Chirino in Havana was similar to what happened with Silvio Rodriguez in Chile, during the Augusto Pinochet regime.