Tampa Mayor Joins Cuban Americans In Solidarity Demonstration

TAMPA, FL — Concerned about the economic and health crises that have led to civil arrest in their homeland, several thousand Cuban Americans joined Tampa Mayor Jane Castor at Al Lopez Park Saturday in what was described as a march for justice and freedom.

Absent from Saturday's demonstration was the defiance that marked a demonstration in Tampa Tuesday night, leading to the arrest of three people after streets were blocked, protesters attempted to shut down an Interstate 75 exit ramp and ignored repeated demands by the police to disperse.

Although Saturday's demonstration was more sedate, Cuban Americans living in Tampa say their concerns for family members who remain in the socialist country haven't abated. They're asking President Joe Biden to send troops and relief supplies to Cuba.

While Biden has voiced his support for the unprecedented protests taking place in Cuba, he has shot down requests to send troops.

He said he is willing to send coronavirus vaccines to Cuba but only if an independent organization administers them. To date, less than 30 percent of the population of Cuba has been vaccinated.

He also said he is willing to ease restrictions on Americans sending money to friends and relatives, but is concerned that the Cuban government may confiscate the funds.

“There are a number of things that we would consider doing to help the people of Cuba, but it would require a different circumstance," Biden said during a news conference.

Cuban Americans have also requested that the United States step in to restore internet service, so they can keep in touch with their loved ones. In response to the demonstrations, the Cuban government has periodically shut down access to the internet in Cuba.

On Thursday, following a long, sometimes heated, debate, the Tampa City Council approved a resolution 5-2 supporting the protests in Cuba.

In a heartfelt speech, Tampa City Council member Luis Viera said he felt it was important for the city, which has a large population of Cuban Americans, to show its support for the Cuban people.

Viera is the son of Cuban immigrants. His father fled Cuba at the age of 16 in 1960 when Fidele Castro took power. His mother was just 11 years old when she escaped the Communist regime in Cuba with her family.

Viera said the city council's resolution isn't intended to be a response to national policies on travel and trade with Cuba.

"This is a statement that's about as controversial as eating a hot dog at Yankee Statement," he said. "It's a statement about solidarity with those protesting right now in Cuba. They are protesting for liberty; they are protesting for the right to vote; they are protesting for privacy and expression rights, for economic dignity and for civil liberty. It tells the people here in Tampa, generations of Cuban Americans who are here, that this city has the backs of those who are in the streets now risking their lives in Cuba."

It's an emotionally charged issue for the city council.

Council member Guido Maniscalco's mother fled the corrupt regime in Cuba as did council member Charlie Miranda's father. Council member Bill Carlson has devoted 25 years to helping to improve the lives of the Cuban people.

Carlson proposed a second resolution that he felt more directly supported the Cuban people.

He pointed to the signs hoisted by demonstrators reading: "The Cuban people need freedom, not food."

"I disagree," Carlson said. "They obviously need both."

The motion passed unanimously.

Carlson also made a second motion for the city council to host a workshop on Sept. 23 on how the city and community can get humanitarian aid to the Cuban people.

"There are already many nonprofits and churches in our area that offer aid," Carlson said. "The purpose of this discussion is to find out how the city can help. But the discussion will be broadcast, so I'm hopeful that the community will support it as well."

In the meantime, Tampa's Cuban Americans need to know that their city is behind them, Castor said.

"We live in the greatest country in the world and that's what we wish for everyone else," Castor said Saturday, acknowledging that there is little the city of Tampa can do about the political situation in Cuba. "The federal government, they are focusing on those issues. What I want to focus on locally here is the fight for freedom and liberty in Cuba."

Pointing to Tampa's 100-year-old history of embracing immigrants from Cuba and the impact the Cuban culture has had on Tampa's architecture, cuisine and industries like the cigar factories built by immigrants, said it's only fitting that Tampa now voice its solidarity for the people who contributed so much to the city's heritage.

"Hardworking Cuban immigrants helped build our city and contribute to our community every single day," she said. "Today we march in solidarity with the brave people of Cuba in a call for democracy, unity and freedom."

Cuban Americans commended the mayor for her support.

"It really means a lot," Yeni Martinez said, adding that the protests taking place in Cuba aren't simply about the lack of coronavirus vaccines. It's about 60 years of oppression. "Cubans on the Island: your cry for help has been heard."

While applauding her show of support, Jesus Romo said he thinks Castor and fellow political leaders should be doing more, including condemning the government providing shelter for immigrants who risk their lives fleeing the country only to be sent back by immigration authorities "where they will be tortured and never be heard from again."

"Mayor Castor, we need more from you than walking down the street with a banner," Romo said. "Show us what you can do as mayor of this great city to promote the freedom of the Cuban people."

While the Tampa City Council debated passing its resolution, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Miami Thursday with Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez to urge the Biden administration to restore internet access to Cuba.

“We are seeing on the island of Cuba people fighting against a communist dictatorship,” said DeSantis. “A free Cuba is a noble cause. It is a cause that many people have dedicated their lives to. We have to stand with the people of Cuba against the communist dictatorship, and one of the most effective things we can do as a country is getting internet back on the island, but we need the Biden Administration to step up to make this happen."

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Brendan Car promptly issued a statement supporting DeSantis’ call to deliver internet access to the Cuban people

“The one thing that communist regimes fear the most is the truth, and if we are able to help Cubans communicate with one another and with the outside world, that truth is going to matter," DeSantis said. "Mr. President, now is the time to stand up and be counted with the people of Cuba who are seeking an end to a brutal 62-year reign of communist oppression.”

Watch the full press conference here.

See related story: Trooper Injured, 3 Arrested During 'Cuba Libre' Rallies In Tampa