HR 6867 has been introduced by both Republicans and Democrats and if passed, would be a major political blow to Cuba’s murderous communist dictatorship.
Via the offices of U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL):
Diaz-Balart, Colleagues Introduce Street Renaming Bill to Honor Cuban Pro-Democracy Activist Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas
Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Albio Sires (NJ-8), Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-26), and Stephanie Murphy (FL-7) introduced H.R. 6867, a bill that would rename the street in front of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C., as “Oswaldo Payá Way,” in honor of Cuba’s late pro-democracy activist and leader of the Christian Liberation Movement. Payá died on July 22, 2012, following a car crash caused by the Castro regime alongside activist Harold Cepero, who also perished. Spanish activist Angel Carromero survived and has described the horrific ordeal in detail. Oswaldo Payá, whose birthday was February 29, would have been 70 years old today.
“Nearly ten years ago, the brave Cuban pro-democracy activist Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas perished at the hands of Castros’ thugs, alongside fellow activist Harold Cepero,” said Diaz-Balart. “Oswaldo Payá dedicated his life to promoting democracy, religious freedom, and human rights in Cuba, and so he became a target of the Cuban dictatorship. Yet, despite the Cuban regime’s threats and harassment, Oswaldo Payá maintained his commitment to a free and democratic Cuba. I also thank Payá’s daughter, Rosa Maria Payá, for her tireless efforts to ensure that we remember their sacrifice for the cause of freedom for the Cuban people. The Cuban regime has no respect for human life or dignity and attempts to silence or erase those who dare oppose it. By renaming the street in front of the Cuban embassy in D.C., we ensure that the courageous martyrs of Cuba’s freedom movement are not forgotten while continuing to stand in solidarity with those still risking their lives so that the Cuban people may finally be free.”
“Oswaldo Payá was a human rights activist who spent decades building a grass-roots movement that urged the autocratic Cuban regimes to allow for more freedom on the island,” said Wasserman Schultz. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill that will name a street in his honor in front of the Cuban Embassy, which will stand as a reminder and call to justice on behalf of the Cuban people.”
“Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas was a true Cuban patriot who confronted the regime face-to-face for years, leading the movement that brought together thousands of other compatriots yearning for freedom and democracy in Cuba,” said Salazar. “Payá paid for ‘Proyecto Varela’ with his own life. The Castros never forgave him for the pro-democracy uprising he caused on the island through the Movimiento Cristiano Liberación. On the 70th anniversary of Payá’s birth, there is no better way to honor his legacy than naming the street across from the Cuban Embassy after him. This will be a permanent reminder of the legacy of a man who fought on the right side of history.”
“Oswaldo Payá dedicated his life to the fight for democracy and fundamental human rights in Cuba,” said Sires. “His example helped to inspire an entire generation of activists, who have continued his struggle and embodied his courage in standing up to the Cuban dictatorship. I thank my friend Congressman Diaz-Balart for his leadership in honoring Oswaldo Payá’s sacrifice and I’m glad to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in support of this important legislation.”
“Oswaldo Payá exemplified the struggle for Cuba’s freedom from the illegitimate, communist regime,” said Gimenez. “This gesture serves as a constant reminder of the juxtaposition between freedom-loving people and Castro’s regime cronies.”
“I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill to rename the street in front of the Cuban Embassy after the late Oswaldo Payá, a man of courage and character who stood strong against a ruthless and repressive regime,” said Murphy. “America will always honor and support brave men and women who struggle, often at great personal risk, for freedom, democracy, and human rights.”
The Senate version of this bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on July 30, 2021.