Cuban state security agents have blocked the organiser of pro-democracy rallies planned for later on Monday from leaving his home. Security forces surrounded the home of Yunior García and those of other leading activists on Sunday. The ruling Communist party has banned the protests, which it says are a US-backed attempt at overthrowing the government. The authorities arrested hundreds of people following protests in July. Unauthorised public gatherings are illegal in Cuba and those who turn out to march risk being jailed. The fact that thousands of people joined July’s protests chanting “freedom” and “down with dictatorship” showed the level of discontent many in Cuba feel after more than six decades of communist rule.(BBC)…[+]