A small victory for common sense in Cuba:
Cuban punk rocker Gorki Aguila, lead singer of Porno para Ricardo, charged with “social dangerousness” because of his songs denouncing and deriding the government, was released with a $28 fine after calling upon his fans to hold a public protest. Facing up to four years in prison for lyrics scorning Fidel and Raul Castro as “geriatrics,” the 39-year-old singer was arrested Aug. 25 and charged with subverting “communist morality.” Supporters were due to assemble at Havana’s Malecón promenade to protest Aug. 28. “We invite everyone to gather and shout Gorki,” said the band’s (foreign-based) website. At the last minute, judicial authorities backed down and agreed to the fine. The banner on the website currently reads “We’ve won the battle!” (Ganamos la batalla!)
You can’t repress an entire people forever (especially in the internet age.)