Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino back data blitz to beat censorship in Cuba

Cuban singers Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino are backing a campaign to deliver "the internet without the internet" to the island via USB drives, DVDs, CDs and other memory formats loaded with uncensored information.

The "Connect Cuba" campaign will also include an online petition urging Havana to provide citizens with unabridged and affordable access to the internet, according to the Miami-based Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba.

"We want to empower the people in Cuba," said Tony Costa, a member of the board of directors and former president of the nonprofit foundation.

Martinez said the largely web-based campaign would use all social platforms and media to publicise the petition and highlight Cuba's rate of internet access - one of the lowest in the western hemisphere - and its tight censorship of the web.

"Connect Cuba" will also collect donations of money and equipment to send information to the island on USB flash drives and digital discs carried by volunteers. Computers and smartphones will also be sent, said Martinez.