By Mark Satinoff

HARLEM, New York — Organized by the new Blacks4Cuba coalition and led by the December 12^th Movement, 100 people, overwhelmingly Black, took to the streets here on June 20, 2026, demanding “No War On Cuba!” The call for the Black Harlem Unity Rally explained:

“This is a call to Black people to come and show their solidarity against the inhumane economic blockade of Cuba.

“Ever since Malcolm X welcomed Fidel Castro to Harlem decades ago, Black People around the world have respected the strength and sacrifices of the Cuban people, especially those made in the liberation war of Southern Africa against colonization, White supremacy, and Apartheid.^[1] And, yes of course, Cuba’s providing of medical training and aid to our communities at home and in the African diaspora has been vital in the most critical times.”^[2]

Everyone was given a Cuban flag and the red, black, and green flag symbolizing Pan-Africanism and Black unity. We held these high as we marched through the commercial center of Harlem. Starting at the historic Theresa Hotel, where Malcolm X and Fidel Castro met in 1960,^[3] we marched from west to east along 125^th Street and then circled back to Malcolm X Boulevard for a rally.

Sista Monifa Bandele, a longtime leader, Cuba activist, and member of the Malcolm X Grassroots Organization (MXG), told the crowd:

“In the Black liberation movement, we will never forget Cuba. Back in 1997, 800 youth traveled from the United States to Cuba. We were able to see firsthand everything that Sista Rosemari has taught us about, in terms of the health care, in terms of the education, and in terms of the undying support for Black liberation and Black independence in Africa.

“When Cuba called, Africa answered, because when Africa called, Cuba answered! Free the land!”

It was a powerful demonstration and well received by the many vendors and shoppers on the crowded sidewalk. This was just one of what was projected to be an ongoing campaign of organizing and activity in the Black community focused on solidarity with Cuba and broadening opposition to Washington’s economic war against the Caribbean nation.

The December 12th Movement has posted a short video of the action on Vimeo and an article by participant Rosemari Mealy was published on Radio Habana Cuba and on Resumen Latinoamericano.

NOTES

[1] Cuban fighters in Angola from 1975 to 2002 are credited with helping bring about the fall of apartheid in South Africa.

[2] In 1999, the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), the world’s largest medical school, was established in Havana. It trains doctors, free of charge, from around the world (including the United States). The only thing the Cubans ask is that these doctors return to their home countries to work in under-served communities.

[3] In 1960, Fidel Castro led a delegation to New York to attend the 15th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Among the delegation were several Cubans of African descent. On arrival at the Hotel Shelburne, the management demanded exorbitant fees. Outraged, Castro moved the delegation, which was welcomed at the Theresa Hotel in Harlem. There he had a late-night meeting with Malcolm X, documented in the book by Rosemari Mealy Fidel & Malcolm X: Memories of a Meeting.

If you appreciate this article, share it with friends and subscribe to World-Outlook (for free) by clicking on the link below.

Type your email in the box below and click on “SUBSCRIBE.” You will receive a notification in your in-box on which you will have to click to confirm your subscription.