For Wharton sophomore Ignacio Du Quesne and the members of the Cuban American Undergraduate Student Association, a silent march across campus meant more than just daily exercise. They were marching for their country's freedom.
Du Quesne, the president of CAUSA, spent nearly three weeks organizing the March 25 march in commemoration of the two-year anniversary of Cuban President Fidel Castro's incarceration of 75 political dissidents -- ranging from journalists to human-rights activists to leaders who championed democracy -- who are still being held in inhumane jail cells for their democratic beliefs.
The march, which progressed from the Covenant sculpture near the high rises to the Peace Symbol outside Van Pelt Library, was part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the issue.
Accused of collaborating with the United States to undermine the Cuban communist system, all 75 protesters were given speedy trials from April 3 to 7, 2003, with jail time ranging from six to 28 years. The combined prison sentence for the dissenters amounted to 1,454 years.
Du Quesne's commitment to these dissenters stems from his family's experiences with Cuba's oppression of freedom. His parents were exiles who left the communist system to head for America.
"Growing up, I always had the theory that my parents' lives were structured around providing the best life ... for our generation," he said. The sacrifices that his parents and others have made in coming to America have laid the foundation for "a greater movement toward solidarity and promoting human rights in the world."
College junior Alex Buznego, a participant in the march, wholeheartedly champions the Cuban cause because his grandparents left Cuba due to the "tyranny and oppression" they faced there.
Others, like College freshman Chris Zanzarella, did not directly experience the effects of Castro's reign but came out to support his friend Du Quesne.
"I live in Florida where I have a lot of Cuban friends. I can imagine they have families that are [still] living there," he explained. Zanzarella nevertheless sees the Cuban issue as a problem that affects everyone.
"As citizens of the United States, we all have liberties," he said. "But it's not all that great [elsewhere] in the world."
Similarly, College sophomore Derek Frankel said that his awareness of the Cuban situation is heightened because he comes from Miami, a city with a large Cuban population. Frankel decided to join the effort because he wanted to "let Castro know that freedom is on the march."
Onlookers such as College senior Jessica Gonzalez found the silent march to be "an effective and peaceful method without causing disturbances."
Du Quesne likewise agreed that the march was a success.
"Beginning as far away as the high rises and reaching the library was a symbol of the attainment of our final goal," he said.
Wharton sophomore and CAUSA Vice President Raimundo Guerra concluded that silence was the best method to get the point across.
"We know that we're defending the truth," he said. "We know we have the truth, and silence will validate the truth."
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
