The flood of Cubans into Havana's Revolution Square began in
the earliest hours of May Day; by the time the rally officially
began, it was clear that the crowd has surpassed the record of
1.2 million who gathered for the May Day rally in 1996. Carrying
Cuban flags, banners denouncing the 37-year old U.S. blockade and
portraits, they arrived by train, bus, bike, and foot in a
continuous flow that went on for hours.
The tremendous mobilization of workers, women, youth,
students and seniors - more than one in ten Cubans participated
in the rally - served as an overwhelming tribute to the resolve
of the Cuban people to defend the gains of their Revolution, to
defend their sovereignty, dignity and independence.
Present on the stage were President Fidel Castro, Vice
President Carlos Lage, congressional leader Ricardo Alarcon and
Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina, along with other social,
religious and cultural personalities.
In a May Day editorial, Granma, the organ of the Communist
Party of Cuba, reported that membership in the Party has been
rising faster during the Special Period then ever before. An
average of 46,000 are joining the party every year, compared to
an average of around 27,000 during the 1980s.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
