“It is our duty to fight for our freedom.
It is our duty to win.
We must love each other and support each other.
We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
― Assata Shakur
The death of Assata Shakur in Havana recalls a generation of revolutionaries who refused to bow down before US imperialism. From the Panthers to Cuba, from prison chains to international solidarity, Assata lived and died a freedom fighter. Her voice, her book, and her struggle remain with us.
FRFI interviewed Dr Mariela Castro at the National Centre for Sexual Education (CENESEX) headquarters in Havana, Cuba. Mariela Castro is the head of CENESEX, a deputy in the Cuban National Assembly, a committed defender of the Cuban Revolution and an advocate for the Palestinian liberation struggle. She is also the daughter of two revolutionaries: Vilma Espín, founder of the Federation of Cuban Women, and Raúl Castro, current General of the Army and former president of Cuba. Mariela Castro continues her family’s legacy of revolutionary leadership at a time when Cuba is resisting increasingly intense imperialist aggression.
In May 2025 supporters of Rock Around the Blockade and the Revolutionary Communist Group visited Cuba for a political brigade. They had the opportunity to meet with and speak to Cubans from all walks of life, and attended the annual May Day parade in Havana. This film documents their experience and shows eyewitness reports of the struggle of Cuban socialism against imperialism and the US blockade.
FRFI interviewed Dr Mariela Castro at the National Centre for Sexual Education (CENESEX) headquarters in Havana, Cuba. Mariela Castro is the head of CENESEX, a deputy in the Cuban National Assembly, a committed defender of the Cuban Revolution and an advocate for the Palestinian liberation struggle. She is also the daughter of two revolutionaries: Vilma Espín, founder of the Federation of Cuban Women, and Raúl Castro, current General of the Army and former president of Cuba. Mariela Castro continues her family’s legacy of revolutionary leadership at a time when Cuba is resisting increasingly intense imperialist aggression.
Comrades and supporters of RATB across the country took part in a national weekend of action in celebration of the 26 July 1953 Moncada Barrack attack, which sparked the revolutionary struggle in Cuba. This year also coincides with the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), which our supporters were keen to note. Cuban internationalism is an important part of what makes it such an inspiring example to the world, and how it spreads the message of socialism to all corners of the globe.
Some supporters chose to host Cuba related events, while some joined in with other political events, bringing the example of socialist Cuba's acheivments to attention. Here are reports from across the country:
Sunday 18 May 2025 / 18.30 (London Time)
Eyewitness reports from Cuba's international May Day brigade
On April 19 supporters of Rock Around the Blockade and the 1 Cent 4 Cuba (1C4Cuba) campaign held vibrant demonstrations across the country in support of the Cuban revolution and against British banks' complicity with the US blockade of Cuba. Protestors held stalls and speakouts outside banks, or brought the example of Cuba to events organised around other political issues. British banks extraterritorially apply the US blockade of Cuba in this country by blocking transactions headed for Cuba or even just mentioning Cuba in the reference. To build up a case against the banks and to expose their complicity in the genocidal US blockade, 1C4Cuba has declared a week of action from April 19-25. To find out how you can take part in the week of action or to otherwise contact the campaign, visit 1c4cuba.eu!
Here are photos and videos from across the country:
Brighton
Supporters in Brighton bring Cuba's example of trans healthcare to a protest against recent attacks on trans rights.
Rock around the Blockade is sending a brigade of young activists to socialist Cuba for International Workers Day, 1 May 2025. They will bring material aid with them to combat the illegal US blockade of Cuba. Donate now!
With increased aggression from the US Trump administration, it is more important than ever to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with socialist Cuba. In addition to learning from Cuba's revolutionary example to inspire our struggles in Britain, we will also bring material aid including medical equipment to help the people of Cuba as they continue to battle against 67-year blockade imposed by the US.
We need to raise £5,000 to make this brigade successful and materially support Cuba, so we are calling on you to donate however much you can.
https://pay.gocardless.com/AL0002KJW8Z5SM
Cheques are payable to:
Rock Around The Blockade
RATB BCM Box 5909, London, WC1N 3XX
Building peoples power in Venezuela
Join us to explore how Venezuela is building popular power through the construction of communal councils and communes as part of the fight for socialism. With an all women panel for International women's day!
Register here
