In Los Angeles, Saturday, June 20, was a vibrant day and night of solidarity with Cuba.
It started at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Hollywood, with a panel discussion titled, “Why Queer People Should Stand with Cuba Against Trump’s Attacks.” Activists who visited Cuba spoke about the current U.S.-imposed fuel crisis and danger of Trump launching a war against the island.
The panel featured local artist and activist Onyịnye Alheri; Gregory E. Williams, co-editor of Struggle-La Lucha from New Orleans; and Melinda Butterfield of Women In Struggle-Mujeres En Lucha from Brooklyn, New York. All three are contributors to the book “Love is the law: Cuba’s queer rights’ revolution.”
They talked about the significance of Cuba’s 2022 Families Code that expanded queer rights, children’s rights, and recognition of all kinds of families, and the lessons for LGBTQIA+ people living in the U.S.
A diverse group came out to hear the panel, including Sarah, a Black trans woman who recently moved to Southern California after being released from a Michigan men’s prison. Sarah shared that she is planning to take the state’s prison system to court to seek restitution for seven years of torture she endured, even after receiving gender-affirming surgery.
The afternoon event was sponsored by the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice and the Struggle for Socialism Party. The panel was livestreamed and the video can be viewed here.
As the first gathering ended, panelists and audience members were able to join the Trans Pride Festival on the lovely grounds of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
‘No war on Cuba!’
In the evening, Cuba solidarity activists and community members, artists and vendors came out for a No War on Cuba Solidarity Night at the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice.
The event featured music, poetry, artwork and talks to raise funds to bring material aid to Cuba and help with local organizing. There were tables from the National Network on Cuba (NNOC) and the U.S. Hands Off Cuba Committee. Food and drink were provided by local community vendors.
Featured musicians Ash Jangda & Company presented a blend of jazz, Cuban rhythms, and South American guitar. Elizabeth Grimm, a Harriet Tubman Center activist who organized the solidarity night, was the emcee.
Speakers included John Parker, Harriet Tubman Center coordinator and socialist congressional candidate; Hope, an activist from the No War on Cuba campaign; Gregory E. Williams; and Melinda Butterfield.
Matt Sedillo and Cesar Flores closed out the evening with powerful poetry.
After the presentations, dancing and conversations continued well into the night.
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