New York rally salutes Cuba’s international solidarity

New York — Supporters of the Cuban Revolution rallied in Union Square on July 26, on the anniversary of the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks led by Fidel Castro. The event was organized by Cuba Sí NYC.

Pickets demanded an end to the U.S. blockade and threats against socialist Cuba; that the U.S. get out of Guantánamo, which it illegally occupies and where the Pentagon runs a torture prison for captives of the “war on terror”; and an end to the slander campaign against Cuban medical brigades, which have so far traveled to more than 30 countries to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

A small group of about 15 right-wingers attempted to disrupt the solidarity action, aggressively confronting pickets, waving Trump flags and chanting “Trump 2020!” These fascists were allowed to do so by the New York Police Department, whose cops did almost nothing to separate them despite their ongoing physical provocations.

However, the pro-Cuba activists weren’t deterred. Several formed a line of defense between the right-wing goons and the speakers and rally participants. 

Tarik Haskins, a former Black Liberation Army member who spent 17 years as a political prisoner in U.S. dungeons, saluted the Cuban Revolution and reminded both supporters and enemies of Cuba that revolutionaries are ready and able to fight back against right-wing violence. He also said that even right-wing Cuban emigres aren’t immune to racist police brutality in the U.S., no matter how much they show their loyalty to white supremacy.

After the rally, Cuba supporters marched together to the subway entrance to ensure everyone was able to leave safely.