HAVANA, May 20 (UPI) -- More than 100 Cuban dissidents gathered in Havana Friday for the Assembly to Promote Civil Society and publicly chanted "Down With Fidel."
The delegates met in the yard of dissident Felix Bonne because the regime of President Fidel Castro would not allow them to use a hotel or a theater, CNN reported.
"We think this is the first democratic assembly that has ever been held in Cuba," said Marta Beatriz Roque, an organizer of the event and a former political prisoner.
Some opposition groups said they would not attend the meeting because they said it was organized by Miami Cuban-Americans who support violence.
A videotaped message from President Bush was shown. He congratulated those in attendance for their efforts and for their courage. He also met in Washington with anti-Castro Cuban-Americans.
Cuban authorities blocked at least eight foreign visitors from attending. Two Polish European Union deputies who tried to enter the country Tuesday were turned back.
Four Polish journalists who planned to attend were detained, the Polish Embassy said.
A Czech senator and a German parliament member who planned to attend were told to leave the country.
