15N

15N, previously known as 20N.

The Civic March for Change is the name given to the national peaceful demonstration called by the group Archipiélago, in conjunction with the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba. Its purpose, according to the statement published by Cuban playwright Yunior García Aguilera in Archipiélago, is to condemn violence and demand the release of all political prisoners, respect for the rights of Cubans, and a resolution of political differences through democratic and peaceful means.

Starting on September 21, activists associated with Archipiélago, but from various disciplines and independent social organizations, began submitting a request for authorization to provincial governments to hold a protest at different locations across the country. They appealed to Article 56 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, which recognizes citizens' right to assemble, demonstrate, and associate for lawful and peaceful purposes, as well as to Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which pertains to the right to peaceful assembly and association.

Letters were submitted in Havana, Cienfuegos, Guantánamo, Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Holguín, Camagüey, and Las Tunas. In Santiago de Cuba, activist Dariem Columbié attempted to submit a letter at the provincial government headquarters but was detained as he was about to do so.

Initially, the call for the gathering was set for November 20, but on October 7, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces decided to conduct a series of military exercises from November 18 to 20, culminating in the celebration of National Defense Day on November 20 itself. In response to this move by the authorities, Archipiélago decided to move the demonstration up to the 15th, the day Cuba reopens its borders for international tourism.

On October 12, the Cuban government announced a negative response to the authorization requests from Archipiélago, arguing that its promoters intend to advocate for a change in the political system in Cuba, which they consider to be illegitimate and unconstitutional.