Pro-government crowd harangues protestors in Cuba

A Cuban opposition group was met with jeers, insults and pro-government slogans from counter-protesters in a march through the capital to call attention to jailed dissidents.

About 60 members of the Ladies in White and their supporters held one of their customary protests on the eve of International Human Rights Day, leaving from the home of leader Laura Pollan and marching to a public park.

A crowd formed to follow and harangue the women, calling them “worms” and “traitors” and shouting “Viva la revolucion!” and “This street belongs to Fidel!”.

The pro-government crowd grew to about 100 as the march continued and one motorist stopped his car and got out to join them.

State security agents were on hand. There was some pushing and shoving, but nobody was hurt.

When the march ended back at Ms Pollan’s home, the pro-government crowd melted away.

The Ladies in White was formed in 2003 by the wives and mothers of 75 leading political opposition leaders, activists and social commentators who were arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms on charges including treason.

The government claims all the dissidents are paid by Washington to undermine the political system.

Most of those arrested have since been released, many under an agreement brokered by the Roman Catholic Church earlier this year.

Church officials have said they expect the last 11 to be freed soon, even though a November 8 deadline to complete the deal has passed.

Pro-government “acts of repudiation” against dissidents happen a few times a year, but there have been none since the church agreement was announced July 7.

In December 2009, government supporters broke up two tiny marches observing International Human Rights Day and chased away British diplomat Chris Stimpson, observing the event, pounding on his car as he drove away.