Participants in the 21st WFDY General Assembly staged a powerful march in solidarity with just causes.
Author: Yuniel Labacena Romero
WINDHOEK, Republic of Namibia—If there is one image that will remain etched in the minds and hearts of the inhabitants—and visitors—of this city during these days of May, and why not, also in the hearts of many good men and women around the world, it is that of the Cuban and Palestinian flags marching together. A symbol of heroic resistance woven with the threads of solidarity and historical memory, and a legitimate expression of denunciation of genocide and a blockade against peoples who deserve to live in peace.
The nearly two kilometers covered by the participants in the 21st WFDY General Assembly were a symbol of heroic resistance woven with the threads of solidarity and historical memory. The General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) in solidarity with just causes and against imperialism, the image of that Palestine of dreams, that Palestine of dignity and decorum, and the generous blood of its children, was an act of justice.
It was also heartbreaking to see the banner that friends from the continent known as the cradle of humanity held up throughout the march in support of our country, which read: "Cuba does not sponsor terrorism. Lift the blockade of Cuba now," or the one for the sons of Bolívar and Chavez that read: "Defend democracy and sovereignty: hands off Venezuela".
It was a march full of symbols and tributes. We were moved to see the culmination of the parade on Fidel Castro Ruz Street, here in downtown Windhoek. As our friends assure us, this is no ordinary street, as it crosses Independence Avenue, the main artery of the capital city. The name of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, whose support for decolonizing causes marked Africa, was now intertwined with the cry for Palestinian freedom.
Undoubtedly, the battles against imperialism are many, but they are shared. And we young people must be on the front lines of that fight, as was evident here. Thus, the voice of Cuba was heard, from the young delegation accompanied by our collaborators from the various missions serving here, by Cuban residents and friends in solidarity, all led by Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, Cuba's ambassador to Namibia.
Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, first secretary of the National Committee of the Union of Young Communists (UJC), who leads our country's delegation to this event, affirmed that, as our compatriots did in these lands, our commitment is to continue forging our homeland "in defense of just causes and as permanent overseers of our sovereignty won through blood and fire".
She added that "our brotherhood has been forged by the blood shed by our glorious men and women who confronted and defeated colonialism, as one people, and achieved independence, justice, and self-determination, principles that we must continue to defend for peoples as heroic as Palestine".
These sentiments were also shared by the new generations, "heirs of the Liberator Simón Bolívar and Commander Hugo Chávez." Ariana Llanos, a member of the Youth of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, called for unity among the people, for internationalist action, and to avoid falling into divisions or pessimistic rhetoric, because "together we are stronger, together we are invincible".
Referring to Cuba, a "beacon of dignity" that "has been resisting the longest and most unjust blockade in history for more than 60 years," that "defends its sovereignty against the inhumane and criminal unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States government," he said: "You are not alone. Your example inspires us, your resistance strengthens us, and your victory is always ours".
With eloquent examples and figures of those who have suffered expulsion from their homeland, the destruction of their homes, and the violation of their human rights by the Israeli occupation forces with the military, political, and logistical support of the United States government, the young Palestinian Haitham Abdo, a member of his country's youth organization, pointed out that what is happening in Gaza is not a war, but a Zionist, imperialist, and fascist genocide.
"We will not rest for a minute until we recover our Palestine and enjoy a just and lasting peace," said the member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, stating that in the face of those who "try to silence the truth," international solidarity in support of our demands is "essential. It is urgent that governments be convinced of the need to oppose violence and oppression against my people".
In closing, Sergio José Ruiz Mazuelas, president of the WFDY, resounded when he expressed that "from the struggle and fire of past generations, we rise, as the unbreakable and unstoppable force of youth demanding a new world. We gather for this solidarity march not in silence, but in the resonant spirit of youth who refuse to be broken by imperialism, inequality, war, and poverty".
He went on to say: "We are the voice of a generation that refuses to be silenced. The time for symbolic gestures is over. This is our moment to ignite change, to shake the foundations of oppression, and to build a future that honors the dignity, dreams, and demands of our people. We are not waiting for history; we are making it!"
Thus concluded a powerful march in Windhoek that demonstrated that the Palestinian struggle and other just causes around the world are not alien to Cuba, nor to Namibia, nor to any people where dignity refuses to die. And even if the headlines pass, the indelible image of those two flags—the Cuban one with its lone star, the Palestinian one with its red triangle—will remain, held high and united, as a promise that no people is alone.
Participants in the 21st General Assembly of the WFDY staged a powerful march this Saturday in solidarity with just causes and against imperialism through the streets of Namibia. From there, the voices of those fighting to shake the foundations of oppression and build a future that honors the dignity, dreams, and demands of our people were heard.
Let the truth be heard
"There is no justification for subjecting the Cuban people and citizens of third countries to the ruthless effects of the blockade and the country's inclusion on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism. Let the truth be heard and let the injustice against Cuba end once and for all".
Thus concludes the Declaration of Solidarity with the Greater Antilles, resoundingly approved this Saturday by the participants in the 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), who are the unifying voice of the new anti-imperialist, anti-fascist, and progressive generations on the planet.
The document expresses this organization's firm support for the children of Fidel's land, who "have resisted the bloodiest war of economic suffocation for more than 60 years," and calls for "mobilizing young people around the world, including through digital social media, to make visible the act of genocide being committed and to denounce the inhumane effects caused by the imposition of the blockade and its reinforcement".
In addition, this Saturday, the members of the WFDY approved another Declaration, but in support of the Palestinian people, whose "pain and suffering are indescribable." The text states that anti-imperialist youth organizations "will not remain indifferent to the genocide being committed" and calls for an immediate end to "illegal occupation, criminal repression, and oppression".
As an expression of the "right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and liberation," the text calls for support for the urgent mobilization of emergency humanitarian aid to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and other occupied territories, and calls for a massive public solidarity campaign worldwide to demand an end to the genocide.