Naturally, independent artistry in Cuba is only rewarded with persecutions, search orders and arrests by the regime's police. Gorki Aguila, lead singer and guitarist of the punk-rock group "Porno para Ricardo" was arrested on Monday while recording songs from their new album. With lyrics such as "Raul, Raul, a ti no hay nadie que te aguante" and my personal favorite, "pues yo me abstengo y me abstengo, de seguir en su juego de mentira y de miedo, y siempre yo, Yo! Yo! Yo! por encima de todos ellos!" it is no surprise that they have caught the attention of the repressive regime. There's already international attention about this arrest and even a Facebook group called "Free Gorki". Their sound is catchy, their lyrics are powerful. They attract students and adults alike. Everytime I listen to them, I sit in awe. I'm consumed by their powerful lyrics which screams "We want change!". These guys are obviously not afraid to stand up for their rights and should be supported by all of us. They are indeed rebels WITH a cause.
Below is the CNN article about the arrest.
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Cuba arrests dissident rocker, band says
Morgan Neill, CNN
Musician Gorki Aguila has been accused of "dangerousness," his band mates say- Aguila, 39, is an outspoken critic of Cuba's government- Police reportedly say Aguila faces sentence of one to four years in jail- Aguila's punk rock band, Porno para Ricardo, recording album at time of arrestHAVANA, Cuba (Morgan Neill, CNN) -- Cuban police have arrested dissident musician Gorki Aguila on a charge of "dangerousness," fellow band members said Tuesday.
Hebert Dominguez, the bass player in Aguila's punk rock band, Porno para Ricardo, said police detained Aguila at his home at 10 a.m. Monday.
Aguila, the lead singer, was arrested as he was about to record the final songs of the band's next record, according to a statement on the band's Web site.
"This new episode of harassment and persecution is occurring just as Porno para Ricardo is in the middle of recording its new record, which eliminates any possibility that this repressive escalation could be described as a 'coincidence,' " the statement said. "In Cuba, the voice of the brave is silenced by the regime, which doesn't hesitate to use intimidation and force."
An official at the state-run press office said Cuba had no comment on the arrest.
Aguila, 39, is an outspoken critic of Cuba's government. " Communism is a failure," he said in a 2007 interview with CNN. "A total failure. Please. Leftists of the world -- improve your capitalism."
Dominguez said authorities said Aguila's trial will take place Thursday. Police told the group's guitarist, Ciro Diaz, that Aguila faced a possible sentence of one to four years in jail.
The statement on the band's Web site said Aguila wasn't feeling well -- that he had inflammation in his lungs and was short of breath.
Hebert Dominguez, the bass player in Aguila's punk rock band, Porno para Ricardo, said police detained Aguila at his home at 10 a.m. Monday.
Aguila, the lead singer, was arrested as he was about to record the final songs of the band's next record, according to a statement on the band's Web site.
"This new episode of harassment and persecution is occurring just as Porno para Ricardo is in the middle of recording its new record, which eliminates any possibility that this repressive escalation could be described as a 'coincidence,' " the statement said. "In Cuba, the voice of the brave is silenced by the regime, which doesn't hesitate to use intimidation and force."
An official at the state-run press office said Cuba had no comment on the arrest.
Aguila, 39, is an outspoken critic of Cuba's government. " Communism is a failure," he said in a 2007 interview with CNN. "A total failure. Please. Leftists of the world -- improve your capitalism."
Dominguez said authorities said Aguila's trial will take place Thursday. Police told the group's guitarist, Ciro Diaz, that Aguila faced a possible sentence of one to four years in jail.
The statement on the band's Web site said Aguila wasn't feeling well -- that he had inflammation in his lungs and was short of breath.
Cuba uses the charge of "dangerousness" to prosecute those whom authorities believe are likely to commit crimes. Under Cuba's penal code, habitual drunkenness and anti-social behavior are signs of a "state of dangerousness."
In its early years, Porno para Ricardo was featured on Cuban television, but as Aguila's lyrics grew bolder, the group was banned from playing in public. With the help of a friend outside the country, the band put its songs on the Internet. Its CDs are distributed only by hand in Cuba.
In 2003, Aguila was jailed on drug charges in what he said was an attempt to silence him. He said a woman working for police posed as a fan and baited him into giving her amphetamines.
He admitted to CNN that he gave her two pills, but he called it entrapment.
Following his time in jail, Aguila's lyrics grew more political. In one song, he sings, "I've lost my fear, I've already been a prisoner I've only got a few bones left, from up here the tyrant is watching you, you're playing his game so that he'll oppress us."
In its early years, Porno para Ricardo was featured on Cuban television, but as Aguila's lyrics grew bolder, the group was banned from playing in public. With the help of a friend outside the country, the band put its songs on the Internet. Its CDs are distributed only by hand in Cuba.
In 2003, Aguila was jailed on drug charges in what he said was an attempt to silence him. He said a woman working for police posed as a fan and baited him into giving her amphetamines.
He admitted to CNN that he gave her two pills, but he called it entrapment.
Following his time in jail, Aguila's lyrics grew more political. In one song, he sings, "I've lost my fear, I've already been a prisoner I've only got a few bones left, from up here the tyrant is watching you, you're playing his game so that he'll oppress us."
Take a look at the music video for their song "El General se hizo Comandante".
9 comments:
Great post Gigi!
The songs got my Grammy vote.
All,
Note that Gorki's sentiments are representative of many artists in Cuba, and it appears that discontent with the government's censorship is growing. In researching the circumstances surrounding Gorki's arrest I came across the following site: www.cubaunderground.com. It's a site devoted to covering the arts in Cuba. Very interesting, as it appears to be from the Island. Of particular interest is the BLOGS section. Check out the Aug. 11 and Aug. 8 posts discussing a recent incident in which Cuban police intervened and shut down the Referencias Territoriales performance art project at the port of Havana. Below I have posted direct links:
Aug. 11: http://www.cubaunderground.com/4329-Exposicion-Referencias-territoriales-censurada-estos-dias-en-La-Habana.html
Aug. 8: http://www.cubaunderground.com/4328-Policia-habanera-es-feroz-critica-de-arte.html
I encourage you all to read the description of the project. Very interesting and it's clear why the Cuban government would feel threatened given that the aim is to challenge established artistic and social norms on the island.
Also, interesting is the response of the event organizers following the intervention by the police. Below I have posted an excerpt from an email explaining the events:
"Los artistas participantes y organizadores de la exposición colectiva REFERENCIAS TERRITORIALES les ofrecemos nuestras disculpas por la forma en que se vio interrumpida la muestra. Agradecemos a todos los que asistieron así como a los que se mantuvieron en el lugar brindándonos su apoyo.
Con anterioridad se hicieron las coordinaciones , solicitaron y obtuvieron los permisos correspondientes para intervenir el muelle en:
Cede del Gobierno de la Habana Vieja
Cede del Partido de la Habana Vieja
Contrainteligencia de la Habana Vieja
No obstante minutos después de la inauguración se presentaron las autoridades de la PNR planteando que no habían sido informados y que debía suspenderse la exposición, quitando la electricidad, inhabilitando con ello los equipos de proyección y obligando a salir al publico asistente. Posteriormente, a pesar de haberse comunicado con las instancias que habían aprobado el proyecto, alegaron que la Capitanía del Puerto tampoco habia sido informada por tanto el muelle no era un lugar seguro para tal numero de personas y a pesar de que el jefe de brigada de reconstruccion de la nave explicara los detalles tecnicos que demuestran lo contrario, la actividad fue forzada a suspenderse. Nosotros trabajamos de conjunto con un arquitecto teniendo el correspondiente dictamen técnico que avala la seguridad del muelle, y la guardia costera nos bahía visto trabajar en el montaje desde hacia una semana, soldando y quitando vigas, y haciendo pruebas de luces y sonido incluso hasta altas horas de la madrugada etc, sin que por ello se presentara algun tipo de inspección
Ninguno de estos organismos que nos concedieron el permiso informó sobre la necesidad de contactar con la Capitania del Puerto. La policia se presentó justo a la hora que les habiamos informado inaugurariamos (momento oportuno para no dejarnos margen de tiempo para encontrar soluciones)."
For more see:
http://cuba21.blogspot.com/2008/08/sobre-la-exposicin-censurada.html
Best,
Andres
We'll see what evidence is brought forth and what sanctions he faces, if any, after the trial.
But as far as what his cause it, it seems pretty much to be nihilism.
Very insightful post, Gigi.
How degrading it is that even today, the arts in Cuba have come to be so restrained. It really shows the extent to which the regime goes to persecute dissidents and muffle any outspokenness among Cuba's people.
I am however proud of the strong support that has formed on this issue, especially among the online community. I'm glad to see that young Americans, who would never experience such a limit on their freedom of expression, feel so strongly about it. It shows that organizations like CANF in the university atmosphere will receive equal support and attention in bringing freedom and prosperity to Cuba.
Yes Walter, we'll see. Hopefully the widespread attention and resulting outcry from those on and outside of the Island will result in his release and no sanctions being imposed. Indeed, the years-old ban imposed on the band by the Cuban government seems a harsh enough punishment in light of the fact that all they have done is exercise a fundamental human right.
Regardless of the sanctions imposed after the trial, the fundamental problem here is that he is on trial at all . . . and for "social dangerousness" to boot.
I have to disagree that his cause is nihilism. It's pretty clear that the band's words and actions are aimed at promoting change on the island. However, it would be hard to blame Gorki, his band or any Cuban on the Island for being a nihilist. A lifetime under a repressive regime has that affect on people.
Sure, it does sound pretty silly, but it ounds like he'd be happier complaining in Miami, though in Miami he'd have to pay for his rent, his utilities and his medical care.
No one claims life is easy in Cuba. If he could freely travel to the US, he could take advantage of the Cuban Adjustment Act and get to stay in Miami.
Unlike here in the United States, where all is well and no one complains, Cubans complain all the time.
Anyone who's traveled to Cuba knows that.
Indeed, and they complain for good reason. But, unfortunately, we've all seen what happens to those who complain too loudly...
Walter,
Thanks for your interest in this blog. Although I disagree with your points of views about 100% of the time so far, I respect your right and ability to comment. There will be many more entries in the future for you to disagree on, i'm sure. I look forward to future discussions.
Best,
Gigi
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