Wednesday, 24 September: - The city of Brighton was the scene of an evening full of energy, commitment and solidarity at the public meeting ‘Against Trump's war on Cuba!’, held at the historic Friends' Meeting House. The event, which brought together a large in-person audience and many more virtually, became a space for open debate and reaffirmation of international support for the Cuban cause.
The meeting was attended by Carlos Rafael Rodríguez, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in the United Kingdom, who shared the stage with prominent British speakers, trade unionists and solidarity activists. In his speech, Rodríguez highlighted the Cuban people's resistance to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, describing it as cruel and illegal, and pointed out the urgent need to remove Cuba from the unjust US list of “state sponsors of terrorism”.
The Cuban representative expressed his deep gratitude for the solidarity shown and highlighted how the support of trade unions, political organisations and social groups in the United Kingdom amplifies Cuba's voice in its denunciation of Washington's unilateral measures.
The event was made possible thanks to the organisation of the Campaign for Solidarity with Cuba (CSC), in close collaboration with UNISON, the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and other organisations committed to international justice. All speakers agreed that the blockade policy, inherited and reinforced during Donald Trump's administration and still in force, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the human rights of the Cuban people.
The evening in Brighton was described by attendees as ‘inspiring’ and ‘necessary,’ a reminder that solidarity not only persists but grows stronger in times of adversity.
‘The fight against the blockade continues,’ it was stated during the event, ‘and with the support of solidarity movements such as tonight's, Cuba is not alone.’
The event concluded with a call to redouble mobilisation efforts, political campaigns and community work to demand an end to the blockade and support Cuba's right to live and develop in peace.
Gestures such as the one in Brighton make it clear that the friendship between Cuba and the British people is nourished by shared principles: solidarity, justice and dignity.