The Camagüey priest Alberto Reyes delivered a sharp critique of the May Day parade in Cuba, in which he expresses that, in his opinion, it is nothing more than a collective farce driven by fear, coercion, and imposed obedience.
In a reflection published on Facebook, it was reported that many workers were forced to sign attendance commitments under threat of sanctions, and in schools, students were even warned that their absence could impact their academic evaluations.
According to Reyes, more than a tribute to the workers, the parade was a political reaffirmation, a public demonstration of forced obedience. "They are acts of civic submission, a reminder that our freedom is bought."
The parish priest not only restricts himself to critiquing the state apparatus, but he also addresses the people and calls for individual consciousness.
He regrets that many attend these events not out of conviction, but out of resignation or fear of the consequences. "They have chosen to perform the theatrical act of an apparent support for the system they detest," he stated. And to those who decided to stay home, he acknowledges the courage of what he sees as an act of dignity: "They have been able to confront the fears of living in freedom."
His words resonate particularly in a national context marked by precariousness.
Cuba is currently facing one of the most difficult periods in its recent history: prolonged blackouts, rampant inflation, chronic shortages, and a public transportation system that is practically collapsed. Nevertheless, the State mobilized large amounts of resources and fuel to ensure the celebration of May Day events across the country.
This is not the first time Alberto Reyes has leveled criticisms of this kind: his public profile has become an uncomfortable voice within the Catholic Church, due to his ongoing denunciation of repression and the lack of freedoms on the Island.
His message not only rekindles the debate about the symbolic value of May Day in Cuba, but also highlights one of the most painful contradictions of present-day Cuba: the struggle between the desire for freedom and the routine of fear.
Next, CiberCuba shares the full text of the publication:
I have been thinking… (110) by Alberto Reyes Pías
I've been thinking about the purpose of a parade
May Day has passed, and across the country, the traditional parades and gatherings of that day have taken place—events that, officially, are a well-deserved tribute to the working world, but which, in reality, carry a completely different meaning in Cuba: they are acts of political reaffirmation, acts of citizen submission, and a reminder that our freedom has been bought.
For this reason, in the days leading up to the event, many workers have been made to sign their 'commitment' to attend the parade, under the threat of penalties. In schools (at least in Esmeralda), students have been warned that not attending the parade could even result in being suspended from exams. This is why thousands of buses have been mobilized to pick up people from various locations, with no limits on fuel usage.
In a social moment where every action matters, there are many people who have managed to do what they could: they have stayed at home and faced the fears of living freely.
I imagine others may have participated because they still believe that defending this system is worth it, despite the hunger, the endless blackouts, and the miserable, horizonless life that has greeted them upon returning home.
However, many others have bowed their heads and preferred to repeat the theatrical act of an apparent support for the system they detest.
So, really, what has this people, this immense crowd that has responded to the call of May Day, actually celebrated?
This community has celebrated its fear, its inability to take a stand for its personal and social autonomy; it has celebrated its slavery, its submission, its choice to bow down to those who have made and continue to make life miserable for them, to those whose children receive an elite education while ours struggle in an inefficient and precarious system, those who have neither been able nor will ever be able to guarantee our health, our economy, or a dignified life. This community has celebrated its decision to play into the hands of the oppressor.
And what has the Government celebrated? It certainly hasn't celebrated the people's support, as it is fully aware that it does not have it. Instead, it has celebrated that this people act as if they love them, as if they support them, and it is that 'as if' that they truly care about, because the 'as if' is enough to silence anyone who dares to raise their voice against them.
But let us not forget that every action matters, big or small, and that every little step taken in submission to evil works not only against the one who takes it but against everyone else, including those we love.
I apologize for this anecdote, but I believe it is worth sharing.
Years ago, the government, in its offensive against Oswaldo Payá, requested the public’s signatures to reaffirm the 'revolutionary process.' Around that time, a woman attempted to get on a passenger truck, but it was full, and the driver told her he couldn’t take her. The woman yelled at him, cursing, among other things, private trucks. The driver, annoyed, started a brief exchange before leaving the woman enveloped in a cloud of dust:
- Madam! - he said - Did you sign?!
"Of course I signed!" the lady replied proudly.
- Well, screw that!
Frequently Asked Questions about the May Day Parade and the Criticism of Alberto Reyes
What criticism has Alberto Reyes made about the May Day parade in Cuba?
Alberto Reyes criticized the May Day parade in Cuba, describing it as a "collective farce" driven by fear and coercion. Reyes stated that the event is more of a demonstration of political submission than a genuine tribute to workers. He argues that many attend out of fear of reprisals, not out of conviction.
How were people compelled to participate in the May Day parade?
According to Alberto Reyes, many workers were forced to sign attendance commitments under the threat of penalties. Even in schools, students were warned that their absence could impact their academic evaluations. This coercion reflects the lack of individual freedom in the Cuban context.
What is the current situation in Cuba according to Alberto Reyes?
Alberto Reyes describes the situation in Cuba as extremely precarious, marked by misery, prolonged blackouts, rampant inflation, and chronic shortages. He states that repression and the lack of freedoms are constant, and the people live in a routine of fear and uncertainty.
What does the May Day parade symbolize for the Cuban government according to Alberto Reyes?
For the Cuban government, according to Alberto Reyes, the May Day parade symbolizes a false demonstration of support and loyalty from the people to the regime. Reyes argues that the government celebrates the fact that the people behave "as if" they support them, even though it is aware that they do not genuinely affiliate with them.
Filed under: