Fort Myers, Cape Coral protests supporting Cuba end week of action with prayer and a cry for freedom – News-Press

Cuban-born residents and others connected by a common heritage ended a week of protests of the island nation's political and economic turmoil on their knees Sunday, praying.

Another separate group of protesters coalesced at Cleveland and Grove avenues waving flags and calling for freedom for their friends and relatives still in Cuba.

The several dozen people taking part in Cape Coral gathered in the parking lot at The Shops at Surfside offVeteran's Parkway before making their way to the Target parking lot off Pine Island Road and then on to parade around downtown Fort Myers.

In Collier County: Cuban-born Naples man wants freedom for countrymen

Previously: Naples, Fort Myers demonstrators flood downtown area in support of freedom for Cuba

And:'Individuals who have lost their fear,' Cubans continue to fight for their freedom

"We don't agree with the government," Pedro Mirabal, a Cuban who has been in the United States for 34 years, said at the Cape Coral gathering site. "They are killing our people in Cuba."

Mirabal, who still has the scars on his arms and legs from the small inflatable raft on whichhe said he managed to float his way to the United States.

"What's happening is really sad," he said. "Over here we have free speech. Peoplein Cuba are not doing anything, just talking. But since they are talking, (the government is) killing (them)."

To get efforts started Sunday, the Rev. James Haynos a Catholic priest from Sanfordheld an impromptu prayer session in the Shops at Surfside parking lot.

Haynos huddled with Jorge Roque of Punta Gorda, displaying a rosary andlarge Cuban flag and recited a Catholic litany.

The priest and Roque said they were praying "for all the people who are missing," in Cuba.

Protests in Cuba began July 11, and it'sconsidered the country's biggest anti-government movementin the past 30 years. There has been reports of government violence but communications have been curtailed.

Mirabal's voice was hoarse, he said from speaking his mind during the protests in Southwest Florida for the past week.

"The world doesn't know what's going on," Mirabal said. "They give that to us so we can tell what's going on."

But Cubans in the U.S. do know what's happening, Miriam Sardinas said, and they are staying in touch with friends and relatives on the island.

"They have no communication between cities, like Fort Myers and Cape Coral," she said. "They don't know how big this is unless we tell them."

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Sardinas came to the U.S. from Cuba in 1970 when she was 4 years old.

Her brother, Agustine Sardinas, who was 14 when he came along in 1970, said it was time for his adopted country to do something to help.

"If the United States doesn't want to do anything then step aside and let us," he said. "I know what communism is, I know what oppression is. I lived there until I was 14."

Along Clevelandnot far from Edison Mall a boisterous and passionate crowd cheered and waved to vehicles.

"We just want our voices heard," protest organizer Maria Davila said. "We're not asking for the U.S. to give money for Cuba. We want to get some justice and liberty for Cuba."

She said the group's Facebook site,EU Cuba SOS Cuba,displays graphic images of the current situation on the island nation.

She said Cubans, many very young,are being attacked by dogs and by government agents for speaking out.

"They are attacking those who protest," she said.

Davila said the protests in the Fort Myers area like Sunday's and another one Saturday in Sanibel, will continue for the future. She called the actions "A Cry of Justice and Liberty and Freedom for All."

"We will protest everyday," she said. "Monday we will be downtown, Tuesday we will be at the Edison Mall."

Connect with breaking news reporter Michael Braun:MichaelBraunNP (Facebook),@MichaelBraunNP (Twitter) or mbraun@news-press.com.

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Fort Myers, Cape Coral protests supporting Cuba end week of action with prayer and a cry for freedom - News-Press