The last weekend of February, car caravans and other actions demanding an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba took place in several cities across the United States, as well as other countries. This roundup consists of reports from four of these actions in the U.S., written by organizers and participants.

An earlier version of this post reported on “gains of the anti-embargo movement,” including re-starting of remittances that Cubans in the U.S. can send to Cuba. It turns out that information was not accurate. It was based on a Canadian news source that was picked up by the Cuban daily Granma but not confirmed by either the U.S. or Cuban governments. For this reason, that section of the earlier report from Miami has been removed.

MIAMI, Florida

By Pete Seidman

February 27, 2022—The 20th Miami Caravan Against the U.S. blockade of Cuba was another success in the fight by Cubans and others here to end Washington’s immoral and illegal actions against the Cuban family.

About 60 people in 40 vehicles rallied at Miami City Hall (office of Mayor Francis X. Suarez, who called for studying the bombing of Cuba during the July 11 events there). We then took off, lights flashing and horns honking, driving through Coconut Grove, up to Little Havana’s Calle Ocho (Eighth Street). We wound up at a closing event in a park just off of Biscayne Boulevard and NE 18th Street.

Caravan organizers set the departure time one hour later with the idea that more people would be out on the streets. This proved to be true, particularly along the Calle Ocho tourist area, where we continued to receive a mixed response. Some bystanders were very hostile. But many others waved in solidarity, giving thumbs up or clenched fists.

Puentes de Amor (Bridges of Love) leader Carlos Lazo was with us. He announced a new campaign to send donations of powdered milk to every pediatric hospital in Cuba!

NEW YORK CITY

By Mark Satinoff

February 27, 2022—About 25 people crammed in six cars took part in the caravan to end the U.S. blockade of Cuba here, organized by the NY-NJ Cuba Sí Coalition. This was the first time the caravan was held in one of the city’s outer boroughs. It was in the heavily Hispanic Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx.

The Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico (PNP) – NY Committee held an event dedicated to the “Cadets of the Republic, Elias Beauchamp and Hiram Rosado and the Introduction of the General Assembly for Presentation of the New Directorate.” The NY-NJ Cuba Sí Coalition was invited to give greetings. The caravan terminated at the PNP headquarters. It’s actually the El Maestro boxing club with a full-size ring in the middle of the floor.

About 40 people attended the PNP event. National PNP leaders were present on stage. Representatives of the Cuba Sí Coalition, Casa de las Americas, and United Zulu Nation gave greetings. PNP leaders said they are looking to reactivate their organization and Cuba solidarity work is on their radar as an important area of focus. The PNP recognizes the Cuba Sí Coalition as a fraternal organization. Both groups look to doing joint work in the future around Cuba and Puerto Rico.

CHICAGO, Illinois

By Linda Loew

February 27, 2022—More than a dozen carloads joined a caravan here this afternoon to “End the economic war against Cuba! Abajo el Bloqueo!” (End the Blockade). Participants demanded the lifting of all U.S. economic, financial, and commercial sanctions against Cuba and the end of all U.S. restrictions of travel to Cuba. The caravan travelled four miles through the Little Village and Pilsen communities where many Mexican and other Latinx working people reside. It was greeted by honking horns, raised fits, and waves.

Sponsors included: Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, Chicago Cuba Coalition, Coalición Chicago En Solidaridad Con Latino America, Chicago Anti-War Coalition, Centro Autonomo, Colectivo de Acción Social y Economía Popular y Solidaria del Ecuador, Justicia en Ayotzinapa Comité Chicago, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Socialist Workers Party, and Southsiders for Peace.

LOS ANGELES, California

By Mark Friedman

February 26, 2022—About 400 students from more than 20 LA high schools held a speak out here today on their efforts to get the cops out of their schools. Members of the U.S. Hands Off Cuba Committee took part and helped get the word out among these young people about the campaign to end Washington’s economic war against Cuba.

Presentations by the students were passionate and reflected a lot of work done by the youth, many of whom have been active in protests against cop killings, including one of the most recent. That was the killing of Valentina Orellana-Peralta. She died on December 28, 2021, when a police bullet ripped through the wall of the dressing room where she was with her mother and fatally wounded the 14-year-old teenager.

The students have held protests at their public and charter schools and the LA school board. They recognize the harassment of Black and Brown youth, especially by campus cops, creating a “prison-like” atmosphere, according to the speakers. Representatives of the ACLU also participated in the event.

Members of the U.S. Hands Off Cuba Committee passed out 150 flyers, distributed previously at Valentina’s funeral, entitled: “Why There Are No George Floyds or Valentina Orellanas Killed by Police in Cuba.”

We received a positive response, getting six new names on the U.S. Hands Off Cuba Committee mailing list.