Vienna, March 18. More than a hundred representatives from political organizations and groups supporting Cuba gathered in Vienna for the “Solidarity with Cuba Now” event, organized by the Austrian-Cuban Friendship Association (Österreichisch-Kubanische Gesellschaft (ÖKG)) and co-sponsored by the Left-Wing Trade Union Bloc (GLB), to reaffirm support for the island in the face of the intensifying U.S. blockade.
During the meeting, the Cuban Ambassador to Austria, Pablo Berti Oliva, highlighted the work carried out by members of Austrian solidarity organizations and emphasized that, through their ongoing actions, “they become a bulwark against the blockade,” referring to the economic, commercial, and financial siege imposed by the United States for more than six decades.
Led by Marcus Strohmeier, vice president of the ÖKG, the event also featured remarks by Hermann Pernerstorfer, president of that Association; Igor Jurišič, president of the Slovenian-Cuban Friendship Association; Robert Laimer, member of the Austrian National Council (Austrian Parliament, Österreichisches Parlament); Oliver Jonischkeit on behalf of the GLB; Noah Zvonek of the Communist Youth of Austria (KJÖ); and Moritz Pamminger of the Youth Front of the Austrian Labor Party (Partei der Arbeit) (Jugendfront), who all condemned Washington’s recent aggressive measures and demanded their immediate cessation.
In addition, the event was attended by the former Deputy Governor of Vienna, Renate Brauner, who joined the progressive forces in expressing their support for the Caribbean island.
The event included the screening of a special message sent from Havana by Rigoberto Zarza, director for Europe of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP Europe), who expressed gratitude for international solidarity and encouraged the continuation of the struggle against the blockade.
To conclude, the solidarity groups in Austria announced that they have launched a broad program of activities in support of Cuba, including fundraising and the shipment of donations, and that their next major action will be a demonstration through the main streets of Austria’s capital city on Saturday, March 21, to demand an end to the blockade and full sovereignty for the island, as well as to support the arrival of the Nuestra América Convoy in Cuba.
These activities are a sign of the growing support in Austria for solidarity with Cuba and its people. The solidarity movement in the country, with the support of left-wing political forces, has been one of the most active and long-standing in Europe, and its example is recognized throughout the region.
(EmbaCubaAustria)