Vigil in memory of Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Please join us for a vigil tomorrow (Thursday) at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, DC, in memory of Orlando Zapata Tamayo. It will take place at 12:30 pm, 2630 16th Street, NW.

Please send to anyone else that you think may be interested.

Orlando Zapata Tamayo died today in a Havana at age 42 after a hunger strike of over 80 days. He had chosen this method of protest to demand respect for his personal safety after enduring numerous beatings and tortures at the hands of Cuban prison authorities. Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.

Zapata was a member of several opposition groups calling for democracy in Cuba by peaceful means. He had been incarcerated for four months from December 2002 to March 2003, accused by Cuba’s political police of "disrespect." Just thirteen days later, he was again apprehended while participating in a fast with other former political prisoners in what became known as the Black Spring clampdown against 75 dissidents around the country. In May of 2004 he was sentenced to 36 years of prison for contempt, public disorder, and disobedience.  Last December 9th, Zapata went on hunger strike to demand proper treatment. Prison authorities refused him water for 18 days, leading to kidney failure. He was then held naked over a powerful air conditioner and developed pneumonia. Earlier yesterday and already in critical condition, he was admitted to Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital in Havana and began receiving fluids intravenously. He died hours later. The Cuban government never responded to his demands.