On Thursday, Yasser Sosa Tamayo, an activist and writer from Santiago, expressed his firm support for Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known as Anna Bensi, and her mother, Caridad Silvente. This comes as both women face trial in Havana for sharing a video on social media that features an agent from the Ministry of the Interior.
In a heartfelt post on his Facebook profile, Sosa urged people not to abandon the mother-daughter duo. He emphasized that this case extends beyond the two women, symbolizing a broader conversation about fear, silence, and the right to free expression in Cuba.
"There's something more dangerous than a person speaking the truth: people getting used to seeing her alone for saying it," he remarked.
He contrasted Bensi and Silvente's position in front of the court with that of those observing from afar. "Today, Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad, stand before a court. While they are there, we remain in our place: distant, behind screens, silent."
Sosa argued that the trial poses a significant question for Cuban society: when does silence stop being prudent and become fear?
"Anna spoke out, recorded what happened, and shared it. Now, her voice must pass through the courtroom," he stated.
Defending Free Expression
The writer clarified that his defense of Bensi's right to speak isn't contingent on agreeing with her views. He maintained that freedom of speech loses its meaning if only agreeable voices are protected.
"We must understand that the right to speak cannot hinge on our opinions aligning with the speaker's. Defending only the voices we like isn't defending freedom; it's protecting our own preferences," he pointed out.
Broader Support Required
In his message, Sosa highlighted the support Bensi and Silvente have received from churches, religious figures, artists, influencers, and citizens. However, he called for broader backing from the general populace.
"I want to hear something much larger: the people. Not as a slogan, but the real people," he expressed, referencing both those inside Cuba and the Cuban diaspora.
Sosa stressed that a society is also defined by how it reacts when someone is vulnerable for publicly voicing their views.
"I don't want our children to think they must swallow truths whole to sleep peacefully. I don't want a camera to be more dangerous than its content. I don't want saying 'this happened' to become an act of heroism," he wrote.
He ended his message with a direct appeal to Bensi: "Anna: speak. Let no one convince us that truth should ask permission to be heard."
Public Mobilization Around the Trial
This declaration comes amidst a rising public mobilization concerning the trial of mother and daughter.
The Western Cuban Baptist Convention Association expressed solidarity with both women, demanding respect for due process, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and their dignity. They also pledged not to leave them alone during the legal proceedings.
Cuban nun Sor Nadieska Almeida publicly supported the pair, urging people to accompany them with prayers and physical presence. Almeida highlighted the "courage and integrity" of both women.
Artists, influencers, and other Cuban figures have also shared messages of solidarity with Bensi and her mother, amplifying public support as the trial unfolds.
The trial was scheduled for Thursday after a hearing initially set for September 17 was postponed.
Bensi and Silvente face charges of "acts against personal and family privacy" after recording and sharing a visit by a Ministry of the Interior agent who delivered a State Security summons to their home. Both women remain under house arrest and have been barred from leaving the country since March.
Before appearing in court on Thursday, Bensi publicly defended her actions, asserting that she and her mother do not see themselves as criminals.
Understanding the Legal Challenges in Cuba
What charges are Anna Bensi and Caridad Silvente facing?
They are accused of "acts against personal and family privacy" for recording and sharing a video of a Ministry of the Interior agent's visit to their home.
What is the significance of this trial in Cuba?
The trial highlights broader issues of free expression and fear in Cuban society, questioning the extent to which silence may be driven by fear rather than prudence.
Who has shown support for Bensi and Silvente?
Support has come from religious organizations, artists, influencers, and various citizens, both within Cuba and in the diaspora.
What restrictions have been placed on Bensi and Silvente?
Since March, they have been under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country.