On 28 October the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn the genocidal, illegal US blockade of Cuba for the 34th time. The RCG, and our campaign Rock around the Blockade (RATB), joined the call made by the ‘No War on Cuba’ campaign for an international day of action, taking to the streets in a vibrant display of opposition to the attacks against Cuban socialism.
This year the US imperialists pulled out all the stops to build opposition to the resolution, lobbying and threatening countries to further their goals of domination in Latin America. Cuban diplomats stood in defiance of US ambassador Mike Waltz earlier in the debate, calling him a liar as Waltz spread falsehoods about the Cuban revolution in an attempt to undermine the resolution. In spite of the US efforts, 130 countries voted for, while 17 voted against and 25 abstained. Those that voted against included the usual suspects, namely the US and Israel, joined by a wave of right wing governments across Latin America including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay. Among the abstentions were several European countries despicably including Italy, which accepted a brigade of Cuban doctors to help the Italian health service deal with Covid-19 in 2020.
Answering Cuba’s call to build networks of solidarity against the blockade, the RCG and RATB called demonstrations in cities across the country. In Manchester, 100 people joined us for a rally at St. Peters Square, several groups joined the rally including Young Struggle, the Assata Shakur Brigade and India Labour Solidarity. In Birmingham we protested outside Lloyds Bank, drawing attention to the fact that British banks block money transfers to Cuba, illegally complying US sanctions and making them complicit in the blockade. We were joined by Young Struggle, India Labour Solidarity, Stop the War Coalition and Wolverhampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign. In London we demonstrated outside the US embassy, where activists made their opposition to the blockade known. Many organisations joined us including the Anti Fascist International, Platforma 12 Octobre, Young Struggle, the All African People’s Revolutionary Party, the Assata Shakur Brigade and the Free Mumia Abu Jamal Campaign.
We uphold the shining example of socialism in action that Cuba represents, and defy the imperialist forces that would seek to destroy that example.
Hands off Cuba!
End the blockade!
Viva Cuba Socialista!
