Cuba’s most prominent dissident group called off its regular Sunday protest for the first time in 13 years, in deference to the island nation’s mourning over former dictator Fidel Castro.
Since 2003, the Ladies in White — loved ones of men held as political prisoners — have celebrated the weekly Mass in Havana before marching peacefully to shed light on Castro’s totalitarian regime.
“We’re not going to march today so that the government does not take it as a provocation and so that they can pay their tributes,” said group leader Berta Soler, 53.
“We respect the mourning of others and will not celebrate the death of any human being.”
The Caribbean republic is in an official nine-day period of mourning with liquor sales curtailed and baseball games postponed.
A mass commemoration of Castro is planned for Tuesday in Havana.