[Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Walter Lippmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: CubaNews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 9:50 PM Subject: [CubaNews] Castro Leads 1 Million in March Thursday July 26 11:46 AM ET Castro Leads 1 Million in March By ANITA SNOW, Associated Press Writer HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro, whose fainting spell during a speech stunned the nation last month, walked briskly Thursday as he led more than 1 million people on a march marking the start of the Cuban revolution nearly a half-century ago. Dressed in his typical olive green uniform and a less typical pair of white sneakers for walking, the Cuban president, who turns 75 next month, vigorously waved a small Cuban flag as he started the march down Havana's coastal Malecon highway. Castro marched for about 20 minutes, covering about 11/2 miles of the 31/2-mile march route. ``Down with the genocidal blockade!'' the marchers chanted, referring to the four-decade U.S. trade embargo against the communist island. ``Down with the murderous law!'' they shouted in a protest of U.S. immigration policies that Havana says encourages Cubans to risk their lives on dangerous sea journeys in the hope of gaining American citizenship. ``Free the patriotic heroes!'' yelled the marchers, many of whom wore white T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of five Cuban agents convicted in Miami and awaiting sentencing on espionage charges. Havana has demanded their release, saying they were merely gathering information about anti-Castro groups to prevent violent attacks. Marching to Castro's left was the grandson of the leader of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The 29-year Hassan Khomeini, invited to Cuba by Castro, who visited Iran in May, wore traditional Islamic robes and head covering. Also joining the march were Castro's younger brother Raul, the 70-year-old defense minister; Vice President Carlos Lage, the architect of Cuba's modest economic reforms; and Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly, or parliament The Communist Party daily Granma declared that about 1.2 million residents of the capital and surrounding Havana province were expected to participate in the ``gigantic combatant march'' past the U.S. Interests Section, the American mission here. Castro led a similar July 26 march in Havana last year. Cubans had wondered aloud if ``El Comandante'' would march this year, following his brief fainting spell last month during a speech under the broiling sun. Castro rested for a few days afterward, then resumed his traditionally busy schedule. The annual celebration marks the anniversary of the July 26, 1953 attack by Castro and his followers on an army barracks that launched the Cuban Revolution. For decades, the celebration was always an afternoon event, held in a different Cuban province each year and almost invariably featuring a key Castro speech. But that long-standing tradition has varied some in recent years. Last year, for instance, three major national events were held in different cities over several weeks. On the day itself, Castro led the march down the Malecon. July 26, known here as National Rebellion Day, is among the most important dates on communist Cuba's calendar. During the July 25-27 national holidays, banks, government offices and virtually all businesses are closed. During the storming of the army barracks 48 years ago, 61 of the 160 attackers were killed and many of the rest, including Castro and his younger brother Raul, were jailed. The movement later regained strength and triumphed on New Year's Day 1959 after then-President Fulgencio Batista fled the country.
