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| 20th Tiananmen Square anniversary panel on June 4, 2009 at University of Miami |
August 24th
of this year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Free Cuba Foundation (FCF). Serving as President co-chair along with Julio Menache
(2009-2010) proved to be a rewarding experience full of activities,
networking, and productive meetings in order to advance a democratic
transition in Cuba. Among the highlights of our tenure include a vigil
for the Tiananmen Square anniversary, Tugboat massacre discussion forum,
and we had as a guest speaker Félix Ismael Rodríguez, the CIA agent
responsible for capturing Ernesto "Che" Guevara". Other remarkable
events include the participation in the multi-organizational "Asamblea
de la Resistencia" conference to collaborate among distinguished
organizations like the Cuban Democratic Directorate and MAR Por Cuba.
Perhaps the most influential activity was the privilege to meet
and interview Hubert Matos, the Cuban revolutionary commander imprisoned
for over 20 years for dissenting with Fidel Castro and his
"Revolutionary" ideas.
Serving FCF helped me to appreciate the liberties we
enjoy in the United States. The adventure allowed me to grow as an
individual and become a productive member of society. In continuing this
trend, this upcoming Fall semester I will start my graduate studies as a
Doctor in Clinical Psychology (Psy. D) at The Chicago School of
Professional Psychology. Despite my relocation to the "Windy City", I
will never forget the important work that the men and women inside and
out of the island do every day to one day achieve a free and democratic
Cuba. Most notably, the lives of dissidents like Orlando Zapata Tamayo,
Laura Pollan, Oswaldo Paya, and Harold Cepero will forever serve as a
reminder of the costly price of freedom.
Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr.
President Co-chair (2009-2010)
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