One time were remaining silent speaks volumes

Remembering the Victims of the July 13, 1994 "13 de Marzo" Tugboat Massacre at FIU today

One time when remaining silent speaks volumes. 19 minutes of silence, one minute for each year that has passed without justice for the victims of the July 13, 1994  "13 de Marzo" tugboat massacre.

In the days leading up to today's protest the Free Cuba Foundation disseminated information through the social media and called for hashtags to be used to remind others of what happened on that terrible day: #RememberJuly13 a #Justiceforthe37  #13deMarzotugboat #Remolcador13deMarzo

Free Cuba Foundation members and friends of the organization gathered in silence to recall a crime and to continue the demand for justice today, July 13, 2013, at 12 noon at Florida International University(FIU) as we have done over the past nineteen years.



For nineteen minutes we listened in silence to rushing water from the Main Fountain at FIU and thought back to July 13, 1994 when 37 men, women, and children were extrajudicially executed by Cuban government agents.

The sounds of the rushing water from the main fountain led participants to imagine what the Cubans blasted by water cannons went through while that heinous crime was being committed.

Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas described it as " one of the most heinous crimes in the history of our city and of Cuba." The city of Havana was founded in 1519. 


 Unless the individuals responsible for this crime are brought to justice over the next 12 months then, if physically possible, we will be back here once again at 12 noon next year and holding a silent 20 minute protest for justice.

Justice maybe delayed but it will not be denied.

Justice for the victims of the "13 de Marzo" Tugboat Massacre

Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, Harold Cepero and the "13 de Marzo" tugboat, massacre

 Remembering two terrible days in July in Cuba

 "In Cuba there are missing and it is known who has disappeared them, the latter are heroes for the government."..."There are more than 20 murdered children waiting to be claimed and mothers and grandmothers who were not allowed to look for them when they were killed off the coast of Havana " - Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, El Nuevo Herald, March 18, 2005*

Ever since the July 13, 1994 massacre the Free Cuba Foundation has organized actions to remember what took place on that day. This year will also mark on July 22nd one year since the killings of two nonviolent human rights defenders, Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Harold Cepero Escalante.

Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas from his home in Havana, Cuba spoke clearly and courageously about the events that took place on July 13, 1994 six miles off the Cuban coastline. It was that kind of speaking truth to power in Cuba, and the courage to nonviolently organize others in support of a democratic transition that led to his being a hated target of the regime. Oswaldo knew what the stakes were: "They have told me that they will kill me before this regime ends, but I will not flee." On July 22, 2012 the Castro dictatorship carried out its promise killing him and Harold.

Free Cuba Foundation members are discussing various ideas to remember these injustices in a creative matter. What would you suggest? How do you plan to remember the 37 men, women and children massacred by Cuban government agents on July 13, 1994? How do you plan to remember Oswaldo and Harold and what happened on July 22, 2012?

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*Original quote: "En Cuba sí hay desaparecidos y se sabe quiénes los desaparecieron, estos últimos son héroes para el gobierno" ... "Hay más de 20 niños asesinados que esperan ser reivindicados y madres y abuelas a las que no se les permitió buscarlos cuando los asesinaron en las costas de La Habana." - Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, MENSAJE DE PAYÁ DESTACA QUE EN LA ISLA HAY DESAPARECIDOS  El Nuevo Herald, March 18, 2005 - PAGE: 23A SECTION: Panorama