The Movie Premiere Dissident
by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Oswaldo Paya

May 9, 2003

About the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The National Democratic Institute is a non-profit organization headed by the former Secretary of State, Madeleine K. Albright, alongside former Presidential Candidate Walter F. Mondale, Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ), former Governor Mario M. Cuomo (D-NY), Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-NY), first woman Vice Presidential Candidate.

The National Democratic Institute is working to strengthen and expand Democracy worldwide. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. NDI has been working with Varela supporters to promote the movement internationally.

Descendent tells the story of the Varel Project, a movement led by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Oswaldo Payá

On May 9th, the Tribeca Film Festival presented “Dissident: Oswaldo Payá and the Varela Project,” a 20-minute documentary shot in Cuba and taken out of the country for international screening. The film tells the story of the Varela Project--a campaign for open elections, free speech, free enterprise and freedom for political prisoners--led by Havana-based activist Oswaldo Payá Sardinas, a 2003 Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

The Varela Project, a growing, peaceful movement, draws upon a provision in the Cuban constitution that enables citizens to introduce legislation when accompanied by 10,000 signatures. Last May, Paya and other Varela organizers submitted 11,020 signatures to the National Assembly. During his visit to Havana, former Presidnet Jimmy Carter recognized the Varela Project on national TV- the first time that the Cuban people openly heard mention of the signature campaign. However, the Cuban government ignored the petition drive and cracked down on those involved, imprisoning dozens of Varela activists under false charges. Against all odds, Oswaldo Paya has vowed to continue his campaign for democratic reform in Cuba and has collected tens of thousands of additional signatures.

“This extraordinary document reveals how, in the face of adversity, Oswaldo Paya has created an unprecedented grassroots nationwide civic movement that reflects the democratic former U.S. Secretary of State. “The film underscores and documents his heroic effects as a champion of democracy.”

Since the war in Iraq began, the Cuban government has tried, conviced and sentenced in secret trials more than 80 journalists, human rights activists and independent trade union members. More than half are Varela Project organizers, many of whom appear in the documentary. Dissidents have received prision sentences for as long as 28 years.

In speaking about Oswaldo Paya and the Varela Project, former Czech President Vaclav Havel said, “The cry of freedom, the free action of a person, is, in my opinion, the most important, and it is the first nail in the coffin of a system based on a lie.”

Recently, Oswaldo Paya Sardinas received both the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and the National Democratic Institute’s 15th Annual W Averell Harriman Democracy Award.

“Dissident” was produced by Heidi Ewing and shot in Cuba in September, 2002.

President Havel, in conjunction with other world leaders, has submitted a longer version of “Dissident” (under its orginal name: “A Patriot’s Path to Democracy’) to the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize campaign in support of Pyaa’s nomination.

About Oswaldo Paya Sardinas: Imprisoned at the age of 17 for openly criticizing the government, Paya himself was influenced by the 1968 democratic opening in Czechoslovakia, known as the “Prague Spring.” He founded the Christian Liberation Movement in 1988, the same year that he draw lessons from democratic forces in Chile whose nonviolent campaign achieved democratic change through a presidential plebiscite. In 1966, Mr. Paya started the Varela Project—a drive to gather signatures calling for a referendum on civil and political rights under President Fidel Castro. Mr. Paya was honored by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for his courageous and steadfast commitment to promoting democracy with its 2002 W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award, named after the late Governor of New York.

About “Dissident: Oswaldo Paya and the Varela Project” The 20-minute documentary produced by Heidi Ewing portrays a grassroots pro-democracy movement—the Varela Project—struggling to peacefully advance human and political rights in Cuba. Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, leader of the movement, share his uncensored story of this civic campaign, which alls for a referendum on open elections, freedom of speech, freedom for political prisoners and free enterprise.

I really enjoyed myself at the event, meeting a lot of wonderful people from all walks of life, who came to this premiere of the dissident. The documentary was very touching, and what was happening to the Cuban people. After the premiere of the documentary, a live telephone call was conducted, via satellite, from Cuba, where Paya was on the other end, speaking with us, and thanking everyone who attended the premier, as well as thanking Madeleine K. Albright for giving him the opportunity to showcase his documentary to us and to the world. Oswaldo Paya is someone whom we all can look up to, and, hopefully, join with to fight for democracy.






I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kenneth Wollack, the President of the National Democratic Institute. He told me that this is what their organization is about—helping people like Oswaldo Paya, and many more like him who need help, throughout the world.










Ms. Geraldine Ferraro, who also attended the premier. Ms. Ferraro is the first woman vice presidential candidate, and is also on the Board of the National Democratic Institute. She believes in the causes of the NDI Institute—her reason for being their.

Former Mayoral Candidate Fernando Ferrer, and his wife, came in following the premiere. He informed me that he wanted to be part of this event because of that which Oswaldo Payas stands for.

Lastly, but not the least, I wish to thank Ms. Jennifer Young (development officer), for the NDI. Ms. Young was very helpful in providing the necessary information about the premiere as well as the event.

For more information about the organization and the great work they are doing for international affairs, log onto their website, at www.ndi.org.

Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.)