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Thousands of Cubans both inside and outside the island came together this Wednesday in a global day of protests to demand freedom, justice, and respect for human rights in Cuba.
The protests, organized by the imprisoned opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, took place in cities across America, Europe, and the Caribbean, despite inclement weather and the distances involved.
In Montreal, dozens of members of the group Cubanos Canadienses por una Cuba Democrática marched under heavy snowfall and temperatures of up to -12°C to demand the freedom of political prisoners.
“No matter the storm or the cold when it comes to fighting for Cuba,” wrote the organizers, who also highlighted the efforts of compatriots who traveled from Drummondville and Trois-Rivières to join the protest.
“If Cuba is in the streets, so are we, even if it’s under the snow,” stated one of the protesters.
In Ottawa, another group gathered in front of the Cuban embassy with banners and chants of "Freedom for political prisoners" and "Down with the dictatorship".
In Miami, the Cuban exile community held a large gathering in honor of Human Rights Day, featuring artists and activists, including Alexander Otaola and Tony Cortés, who broadcasted live from the Versailles restaurant.
In Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, dozens of Cubans gathered in front of the regime's embassy, called by the Cuba Decide movement.
“Our families live under a regime of terror. The way out of the crisis is the way out of the dictatorship,” expressed one of the participants, while waving flags and signs with the slogans #PatriaYVida and #LibertadYa.
In Las Vegas, members of the opposition organization UNPACU held a peaceful demonstration in support of the call by José Daniel Ferrer, reaffirming their commitment to the cause of freedom in Cuba.
In Nuremberg (Germany), a group of Cubans demonstrated with signs that said "Down with communism" and "Freedom for the people of Cuba".
One of the organizers, Osmel Santos, shared an emotional message: “I did it from within Cuba and I continue to do it from outside. I want everyone to know freedom.”
In Barcelona (Spain), activists from the Coalition of Women for a Free Cuba and veteran dissidents like Néstor Rodríguez Lobaina protested outside the consulate of the Castro regime, condemning human rights violations on the island.
“Since 1985 until today we continue fighting for the rule of law in the homeland of Martí,” declared Rodríguez Lobaina. The protesters concluded the day chanting: “Freedom will prevail!”.
In Mexico City, the activist José Luis Tan Estrada led a gathering in front of the Cuban embassy alongside Marlene Azor Hernández and other exiles.
"Every gesture and word is a reminder that freedom and dignity are not concessions of power, but inalienable rights of the people," Tan Estrada expressed in his message.
Meanwhile, in Dominican Republic, a group of Cubans and Dominicans organized a protest in front of the Cuban embassy in Santo Domingo.
“Here we live in freedom, without beatings or arrests, and we want Cubans to know what that is,” said Aymara Nieto Muñoz during the peaceful demonstration.
The demonstrations on December 10 were replicated in at least a dozen countries, reflecting the growth of Cuban exile activism and international solidarity with those within the island who continue to resist the communist regime.
"The message is clear: wherever there is a free Cuban, there will be a voice for those who cannot speak," asserted Lázaro Mireles, one of the promoters of exile in Europe.
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