NYC Rally held in preparation for the yearly UN vote to denounce U.S. blockade on Cuba
By Jacob Buckner
On October 16th, 2025 a rally was held in Harlem, New York, among community leaders, state senators, and Cuba solidarity activists. This action was in support of Cuba in preparation for the annual UN general assembly vote, which will take place on October 28th and 29th, 2025. Next week several counties will attend the UN General assembly and express their support to end the economic blockade.. The previous year vote resulted in a 187 for- 2 against vote with the nations of the US and Israel being the only to vote against. This comes at a time where the world has seen signs of escalation against other nations, including a possible ground invasion of Venezuela. This action demonstrated that the people of the U.S. challenge the U.S. government’s intention to intervene and control the autonomy of Venezuela and Cuba.
Organizations present at the October 26th rally represented numerous political and community groups, but all were aligned in the intention to end the criminal blockade on Cuba and to stop U.S aggression to other Latin American nations. Present at the event were various organizations, including Cuba Si Coalition, National Network on Cuba (NNOC), Juventud Unidas por la Independenciathe (JUPI), the December 12th movement, and NY state assembly members.
Today, the world continues to witness the effect of the 60 plus year Cuban blockade, seeing disastrous results for the people of Cuba. Dr. Rosemari Mealy, member of the Harlem-Cuba welcome committee emphasized “Six days under the blockade is equal to the funding required to import a year’s worth of consumables such as cotton gauze sutures catheters and IV equipment among others health supplies.” Tee Iriarte, a member of the Cuba Si coalition said how this blockade is aimed at limiting Cuba’s ability to provide for its people and function, saying “This economic blockade on Cuba is an impediment that prevents people from recovering life saving medical equipment, fuel to generate sustainable power, and other essential services.”
What example does Cuba show to the world?
Even with these actions by the US, the Cuban government continues to provide its people with care, including free medical clinics, fight toward their own autonomy and future, and be an example of solidarity with peoples all over the world,
The event detailed the important connections between Cuba and the world, demonstrating that in many instances Cuba has been a lifeline for various struggles against oppression. Rosemari Mealy spoke about how for members of the Black struggle in the U.S, Cuba represents an essential progressive force and an example of solidarity. She emphasized that even when the U.S pressured Cuba to extradite Black political prisoner Assata Shakir, the country did not cede in her defense.
She said “Her name was Assata Shakur. Assata Shakur died free while in Cuba. Cuba has paid an enormous price for that because in all of the negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba her name was put up as a negotiating tool, and Cuba refused to use assata as a negotiating tool even when their people were suffering from the 60 year blockade.This is support and solidarity”
What should U.S. citizens do to end the blockade and stop U.S. aggression?
As Cesar Omar Sanchez, one of co-chair of the National Network (NNOC) on Cuba, an organization of over 60 organizations, emphasized, US citizens should use every opportunity to unite and defend Cuba, using every mechanism at their disposal to fight for Cuba’s autonomy.
As Cesar “We got to stand unified. We must continue the fight, we must continue pushing the narratives and using your cellphones cameras and use all mediums. Get involved and speak to your colleagues and friends about what’s going on in Cuba and in Latin America who don’t understand the history.”
US citizens have a responsibility to fight against this policy imposed on Cuba and to stop escalations of countries that challenge US intervention
As NY State Senator Cordell Cleare, who voted for a NYC resolution to take Cuba off the State sponsor of terrorism list (SSOT) said “it’s time for this blockade to end. It is not fair that just because the U.S. doesn’t like what I do it means you can tell Me what to do or what freedoms I have! It’s time for the blockade to end”. Sen. Cleare was a signature to a letter to Biden sent by 25 NY State Assembly members in 2023 calling for End to Blockade.