With the notes of the Bayamo Hymn and the symbolic roll call to the martyrs of the FEU, the march in homage to the eight medicine students began on Wednesday afternoon, on the 153rd anniversary of their execution by firing squad at the hands of the Spanish colonialism.
The event was attended by the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and president of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; the secretary of organization of the Central Committee of the Party, Roberto Morales Ojeda; the first secretary of the National Committee of the UJC, Meyvis Estévez Echavarría; among other directors and authorities.
The Cuban flag, those of the FEU and the UJC, and dozens of posters adorned the steps of the University of Havana, where more than 80,000 young people, students, and workers would later descend.
A rousing rendition of “La Bayamesa”, by troubadour Eduardo Sosa, preceded the central words, by the national president of the FEU, Ricardo Rodriguez Gonzalez.
“Those bullets fired in La Punta blinded the lives of eight cheerful boys, eager for the future and dreams. Reason enough in that pain that still moves us to respond with student strength enlivened in defense of the achievements of the Revolution. We will never give up the freedom to train ourselves for the future and to do so without our mothers fearing that someone may absurdly decide our death”, he pointed out.
Rodriguez Gonzalez took the opportunity to condemn the genocide perpetrated against the peoples of the world, especially the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba; and the massacre committed by Israel against the population of Gaza.
“This youth that pays homage to its dead does not forget the causes that led to the murder of the eight medical students. We will not admit the colonization of our history”, he assured.
The speech of the FEU national president was the prelude to the march. A wave of young people, led by Diaz-Canel, descended the steps of the University of Havana and flooded the streets of San Lazaro and the Malecon, to reach La Punta and pay tribute to the eight martyrs.
On the way, Diana Duhaldeborde, a second-year medical student at the Manuel Fajardo Faculty, commented that she had participated in other marches on this date. Her main motivation for doing so is her stand against injustices.
“This is a very convulsive world and, as physicians, we must be in the first trench, to bring some peace and humanism in the face of so much chaos,” he said. “It is an honor to study medicine, and to vindicate the history of these young people who were vilely shot.”
The march in homage to the medical students is resumed after three years, as a warning against the damage generated by hatred and blind violence, in an international scenario where the disappearances of students or the violation of their rights by the forces of law and order are becoming more and more frequent.