The Right to Protest?
Written by Kaylee Morgan
These last couple of years have been no stranger to protests around the globe. It has almost become the norm to even see photos or videos of the military’s presence, police violence, and even scared citizens at said protests. We’ve seen countless stories of peaceful protesters, getting involved in some type of altercation with law enforcement personnel. But what happened hours before the scheduled, peaceful protests in the streets of Cuba is incredibly disheartening and a huge hit towards the fight for justice and freedom.
Following the protests on July 11, 2021, many Cuban activists were fully prepared to hit the streets Monday, November 15 yet again for another cry for libertad (liberty). Unfortunately, they were stopped in their tracks. Many woke with their homes surrounded by uniformed police officers, state security agents, or government supporters. Even though Article 56 of the Cuban Constitution recognizes the rights to assembly, demonstration, and association, the Cuban government decided that the planned marches, intended to call for greater political freedoms, were invented by Cuban exiles and the US government and that it would lead to an invasion of Cuba by the enemy. Hence, the silent streets and the proof of how much of a pull the Cuban government has on its people.
I believe one of the most devastating pieces to this story is the lack of coverage. No one is really talking about what is happening in Cuba or better yet, what has been happening in Cuba. I had to do a lot of research and digging to even figure out what exactly went down on Monday, with social media being the greatest resource. It’s the very opposite of the global coverage we (America) received during the Black Lives Matter protests. Which begs me to ask the question: When you said, “Black Lives Matter” did you mean all Black lives or just American?
“An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” says Dr. Martin Luther King in his Letter from Birmingham Jail. An injustice to one life is an injustice to all lives. We are failing as advocates, activists, and/or allies if we choose to ignore the reality of life for the Cuban people.
For example:
On Monday, Cuban activist Saily Gonzalez Velazquez said in a Facebook live that government supporters were blocking her house in Santa Clara to prevent her from attending the protests. “At 5:30 in the morning, people called by the Cuban government arrived in my neighborhood. I know they were called by the Cuban government because of the signs they were carrying,” she told CNN, adding, “They played music and when I got out of my house, they started yelling at me and my family.”
Cuban activist, journalist and Washington Post columnist Abraham Jimenez Enoa also tweeted Monday saying he was “under siege by plainclothes police and agents.” He took to Twitter saying, “I am still under siege by plainclothes police and agents. Neighbors tell me that today’s operation is superior to yesterday’s. I can’t see it from my balcony because a tree covers them. I only see his feet. Are you so afraid of journalism, that it comes out to tell the truth?” You can read his story here.
Juan Pappier, a Cuba researcher at Human Rights Watch, who has been closely following the protests, said anyone that was caught participating in the protests on November 15, would have faced a year in prison, while anyone accused of throwing a rock — even without evidence — could be sentenced to 10 years. Being that an act of “violence” would be deemed a terrorist attack because of Cuba’s claim that the protests were created by foreign enemies.
These are just three examples to help you understand what it’s like to try to fight for change in Cuba. I will quote Dr. King again, “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” So what do we do when we see the Cuban people stripped of their voices? We raise ours.
My good friend Chari Orozco said this, “Cuba…needs your voices; they need you to post their stories, their cries, and their truths. We need to bring awareness, and the change and freedom that Cubans will soon encounter won’t be because a famous actress posted about it; it will be because the children of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom will reciprocate the favor to those who were left behind. We will speak for them because they have no one else.”
So let’s exercise our freedom of speech and let’s come alongside our Cuban brothers and sisters. Let’s share their stories and bring awareness to the injustices they are battling. Let’s keep fighting for justice. Together we can see Cuba walk free.
As advocates, as allies, as friends let us express solidarity and fight for libertad and justice for all.
Instagram Accounts to Follow:
* Use the #SosCuba whether you are on TikTok or Instagram as the Cuban influencers are watching and being encouraged by what we are posting
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