BOSTON — More than 100 people from across Massachusetts gathered here May 23 for an emergency rally and press conference protesting the Justice Department’s indictment of Raúl Castro, the tightening U.S. blockade against Cuba and the threat of escalating U.S. military action.
The demonstration, organized in just three days by the July 26 Coalition and Massachusetts Peace Action, drew participants from labor, anti-war, solidarity and community groups from throughout the state.
They carried handmade signs, chanted, waved Cuban flags and listened to speakers over a sound system that caught the attention of tourists and passersby. Protesters carried signs reading “Hands off Cuba,” “No war on Cuba,” “No more sanctions: No oil blockade,” and “End the U.S. blockade of Cuba now.”
Speakers warned that recent U.S. actions represent a dangerous escalation toward direct military aggression against Cuba. They condemned the U.S. government’s tightening blockade, which threatens punishing tariffs against any country and company that trades with Cuba. These policies have severely restricted Cuba’s access to essential oil, medical supplies, food and other critical goods.
Others described the 250,000 Cubans who gathered at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune in Havana May 22 to condemn the unjust accusations against Raúl Castro, support their socialist revolution and affirm Cuba’s determination to stand firm.
Mark Stern from the National Lawyers Guild explained that the indictment is based on a totally false narrative concocted by Washington in 1996 describing a cold-blooded shoot down of counterrevolutionary forces heading for Havana.
Among the featured speakers was José Alemán, a Cuba solidarity activist and former consul general of El Salvador in the New England Consulate, who was representing the July 26 Coalition. “It is not OK for the most powerful nation, the U.S.,” to go after Cuba, he said, “which more than 60 years ago decided on a different way of running a society, a socialist model that even now can tell everyone that it is doable. It is up to us to stand up.”
Sussen Gazal from the July 26 Coalition spoke about the importance of Cuba’s internationalist doctors and scientists, and in particular the record of Cuba’s medical team fighting the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014 and 2015.
The rally attracted significant public attention and media coverage, with many people in the Boston Common stopping to ask questions, express support and seek information on how to engage in solidarity efforts with Cuba.
Paul Ott, an engineer and Navy retiree, took a copy of the editorial from the Militant headlined “Protest US war drive against Cuba!” He said, “the Cuban people deserve their freedom, their right to determine their destiny. It’s not U.S. territory.”
Two tourists from Taiwan agreed that the U.S. is violating Cuba’s sovereignty. One said that in Taiwan they face war threats and aggression from China.
Protest organizers announced plans for a follow-up public educational and fundraising event June 14, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Church of Boston. The event will feature a new documentary “From Cuba to Calabria,” which highlights the impact and humanitarian work of Cuba’s medical brigades.
Judy Freiwirth is a lead organizer with the July 26 Coalition.
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AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Chanting “Hands off Cuba” and “No to the embargo, no to war on Cuba,” 30 people rallied here May 23 to condemn Washington’s ruthless economic war against the Cuban people and its preparations for military aggression.
Protesters carried placards demanding, “End the [U.S.] oil blockade” and “Hands off Raúl Castro,” a reference to the U.S. Justice Department’s frame-up indictment of the Cuban revolutionary leader. Another read, “Cuba’s crime: carrying out and defending a socialist revolution — hands off!”
Speakers included Matt Robson, a minister in the 1999-2002 Labour Party government; Green Party Member of Parliament Ricardo Menéndez March, who is co-chair of the Latin America and Caribbean Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group; and Annalucia Vermunt of the Cuba Friendship Society, which organized the event. She urged participants to build solidarity with Cuba and be prepared for ongoing protests.