March in White crosses the Charles Bridge in Prague
Published: Mar 19, 2014 Reading time: 1 minute
The March in White, whose aim was to support the opposition movement of the Cuban Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) and to promote human rights on Cuba, walked across the Charles Bridge in Prague on the 18th of March 2014. Participants symbolically carried white flowers, umbrellas, balloons and posters demanding freedom for Sonia Garro, one of the Ladies in White who has been in jail for the last 2 years.
Tomáš Halík, a prominent Czech philosopher and clergyman, opened the event with a short speech. He emphasized that Czechs should remember their recent history and continue to fight for freedom and be wary of the practices of states – such as Cuba - that suppress human rights and freedoms.
A blessing from Bishop Václav Malý started the march which finished at the St. Thomas Church in Malá Strana where an ecumenical mass was held.
The Day for Cuba ended with a panel discussion with Bishop Václav Malý; Francis Sanchez, a Cuban writer and activist; and Milan Jakobec, a former Czech chargé d'affaires in Cuba, about what has and hasn't changed in Cuba over the last few years.
It was organized by the Commission for Cuba within the Synodal Council of the Evangelical Church, in collaboration with People in Need and the parish of St. Thomas.