Yesterday, Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in commending José Daniel Ferrer and the brave anti-regime Cuban activists by introducing resolutions in their respective chambers. Both resolutions, H.Res 867 and S.Res 489, demand the immediate release of Jose Daniel Ferrer and the numerous other July 11th protestors.
The Senate version, sponsored by Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Mike Braun, unanimously passed the U.S. Senate last night. The House version has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, where Rep. Salazar serves as a Member.
"As a defender of human rights and democracy in Cuba, José Daniel Ferrer stood up to the regime directly for years, suffering torture and imprisonment on multiple occasions. But Ferrer has never given up on his principles, and together with his organization — the UNPACU — he has led the fight for freedom in Cuba," said Congresswoman Salazar. "Neither José Daniel nor any Cuban should be imprisoned and tortured for peacefully protesting for their God-given rights. The United States will always stand with the brave men and women who stand up against the regime!”
“I am proud to co-lead this crucial resolution with my colleague and friend, Senator Rick Scott. Six months following the July 11, 2021, peaceful protests, the Cuban dictatorship continues to crack down and punish those who dared to bravely demand freedom. Some of those imprisoned, including those being subjected to sham trials, are children," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. "The regime’s cruelty has revealed not only its malevolence toward the Cuban people but has highlighted the unshakeable courage of Cuba’s many brave pro-democracy activists who are enduring egregious human rights abuses simply for demanding respect for fundamental rights. They will prevail."
“The United States must call out the human rights abuses committed by the illegitimate communist regime in Cuba. This resolution is an important signal to the political dissidents inside the island that the United States stands on their side. We have a moral responsibility to support the causes of freedom and democracy in our hemisphere. I thank the Senators for their continued support of the Cuban people," said Congressman Carlos Gimenez.
“Last night, the United States Senate sent a strong message to the illegitimate Communist Cuban regime that we stand unified in supporting the brave people of Cuba fighting tirelessly for freedom, and we won’t stop until there is a new day of freedom on the island. I am proud my Senate colleagues joined me to unanimously pass my resolution supporting the brave Cuban democracy activists and strongly condemning the illegitimate communist Cuban regime’s human rights abuses, but we can’t stop now. Innocent Cubans are dying simply because they want freedom and democracy for their families—and others, like José Daniel Ferrer, are being mercilessly tortured. I won’t stop fighting to support these brave freedom activists and all who demand the end of the brutal communist Cuban regime,” said Senator Rick Scott.
“For years, José Daniel Ferrer and the members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) have been targeted by the Castro and Díaz-Canel regime. They have been subjected to unimaginable hardships and arbitrary arrests simply because they oppose the dictatorship’s tyranny and repression," said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). "I applaud the U.S. Senate for passing this resolution, which reaffirms our support and solidarity to one of Cuba’s most emblematic freedom fighters.”
“The continued violations of human rights by the communist government of Cuba is reprehensible. I am proud to join Senator Rick Scott on this resolution recognizing the actions of democracy activist Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and all human rights activists that are standing up to the totalitarian Cuban regime,” said Senator Mike Braun (R-IN).
Original source can be found here.
