KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: He gathered more than 14,000 signatures as part of a nonviolent effort to bring change to the Cuban government. It may be a futile effort. That is not stopping one activist, though, from demanding an opportunity to institute sweeping political changes on the communist island. Lucia Newman reports.</s>LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The contents of this simple cardboard box represent a second bold attempt to introduce sweeping political change in communist Cuba. Armed with more than 14,000 new signatures, dissident leader Oswaldo Paya took his project, a petition to legally try to force a national referendum to Cuba's national assembly. This, despite the government's recent crackdown on opponents, especially activists working on the Varela Project. What we're trying to say, says Paya, is that there's hope, that Cuba needs change, and that there's a vanguard willing to achieve it. Last year, Paya had gathered more than 11,000 signatures. More than enough, according to the constitution, to force the national assembly to consider the legislative proposal. During his visit to Cuba, former President Jimmy Carter appealed to authorities to allow an open debate on the proposal for democratic reforms. (on camera): The government's response was to proclaim Cuban communism irreversible and untouchable, while declaring the Varela Project unconstitutional. Paya, though, doesn't want to take no for an answer. (voice-over): The most important thing, he says, is not the government's reaction. Everyone who lives in this totalitarian system of terror knows the extraordinary value of knowing that there are thousands of citizens who know they'll be victims of reprisals, but still say, we want change. That is liberation. Cuba's government dismisses the Varela Project as a scheme, conceived and directed by Washington. After turning in the 14,000 new signatures, Paya went to church to entrust his petition drive to God. Convinced, he says, that there's nothing the government can do to stop it. Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.
Activist Works to Bring Reform to Cuban Government