Innovationists Join Emergency Cuba Solidarity Event in Los Angeles

Saturday night, May 9th, members of CPI L.A. attended the event “LA Saturday Night Emergency Speak Out” at the Machinists Union Hall in Wilmington, Los Angeles, organized by the organization US Hands Off Cuba. The event was described as an emergency speak-out against the illegal U.S. blockade of Cuba.

The event brought together a coalition of individuals and a variety of organizations from around the Los Angeles area, including unions, political activist groups, and political parties. Participants gathered to hear speakers including David Ramirez, 2nd Secretary at the Cuban Embassy, who spoke live on Zoom; Kevin Kucera, District President of the International Association of Machinists; and Mwezi Odom of the African People’s Socialist Party.

Speakers and participants provided updates about President Trump’s new executive order expanding the already existing sanctions, focusing on officials, companies, and international transactions tied to Cuban industries. Assets have been frozen while transactions have been restricted, and outside firms have been punished as part of the ongoing economic isolation of the Cuban government. Participants characterized these measures as an attempt on the part of empire to impoverish, or even starve, the Cuban people into submission.

In spite of recent struggles caused by the criminal sanctions against Cuba, and despite decades of suffering and hardship caused directly by the Helms-Burton Act and other legislation in brazen violation of international law, speakers emphasized that Cuba continues to resist. They also pointed to dramatically worsened economic conditions resulting from what they described as the U.S. deep state's act of terror and criminal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. Although Cuba lost a loyal trade partner in Venezuela at the barrel of a gun, the Cuban working class stands strong in solidarity against the imperialist crimes of empire.

Cuba Sí, Bloqueo No!

Written by

Dan “Nowman” Niswander

and

Timothy Beyer