My mom gave me a piece of Cuban history recently.
It's a list of names from 1960.
The list was of a group of unaccompanied minors who were sent here to the U.S. by their desperate parents to protect them from Castro's plans for the youth of Cuba.
The exodus of 14,000 minors was dubbed Operacíon Pedro Pan. (Operation Peter Pan.)
1960. Young Irish Catholic priest, Father Bryan O. Walsh spearheads Operation Peter Pan.
Those Cuban children were separated from their parents. Many were never reunited. Some came to the U.S. to live with relatives. Some went to orphanages. This is a sad fact of the oppressive Cuban communist government – they are in the business of separating families and destroying lives.
The Cuban people now living on the island are calling for change. They are locked in what is now an island prison where their basic human rights are violated daily.
They have no right of free speech.
They're not allowed to travel.
They have no rights or the ability to access information.
They are denied basic economic freedom in ways inconsistent with
universal values and fundamental human rights.
Hundreds are still rotting in Cuban prisons for offenses that consist of disagreeing with the communist government. Please visit my friend, Marc Masferrer's amazing blog, called Uncommon
Sense where he chronicles the struggles of present day Cuban prisoners.
How is it possible that in our modern world these abuses are allowed to continue?
Today is Cuban Solidarity Day.
May 20th marks the 108th anniversary of Cuban independence from Spain. Cuban Independence Day – it sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?
Many of those Pedro Pan kids grew up here in the U.S. You will not find a group of greater American patriots. They have a love for this country, but like many of us who left so young, they also continue to keep a love for "all things Cuban."
One of the names of that list of Pedro Pan's grew up to be an accomplished musician and entertainer. Last year he played at The White House. The White House, people! This sort of story is common here in America. Land of the Free. Home of the Brave.
For one day, this May 20, the world will stand in solidarity with the
legitimate aspirations and hopes of the Cuban people for freedom and
democracy.
And to all the Cuban people who have been waiting these last 50 years…
"Nuestro dia ya viene llegando." ~ Willy Chirino
Kristen Benson says
I’m speechless. Wow. I stand with you.
Kikita says
And now I am crying . . .
Leesa says
Takes your breath away… Never told you our family’s “small” connection to Cuba. My Great Great Grandfather, Leo immigrated to the US, and served in the US Military to earn his US citizenship as a Rough Rider with Teddy Roosevelt in Cuba. Cam and I, spent our whole time at Ellis Island working on our “Leo Project”.
Leesa says
ERROR ALERT- My Mistake! My Great Grandfather… He was Cam’s Great, Great… Brain and typing fingers are not working in harmony- HERE!
Leesa says
3rd post, here. Sorry. This blog requires that I must add one more comment. It makes both my heart and stomach ache to read about such hardships. I cannot abide humans suffering. I stand with you, too!
Alina Marcilla says
I am so totally with you! My sister and I were both pedropan kids.Happy Birthday Marta; Kiki I loved the blog to your Mom! ahhhhhhh!
Where can I get the list of the kids names that saved by PedroPan?
I love your site; I need it every day like my shot of cafe’.
Thanks,
Alina
michele caridad says
yes…i’m interested in the list as well! Mi Papi is Pedro Pan and i would love to get it! thanks MArta for touching home with this BLOG!