SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Protest in Support of Cuba
In San Antonio, a group of protesters from the Socialist Liberation Party and the communist Rebel Right gathered to express their support for Cuba. This occurred just before the 250th anniversary of the United States. They were chanting pro-communist slogans and distributing Marxist literature to tourists near the popular Riverwalk.
The motives behind Friday’s protest were shared on the Socialist Liberation Party’s Instagram, stating that the Trump administration has enforced an energy blockade and tightened sanctions against Cuba. This includes actions against Raul Castro and various Cuban organizations. They expressed that while the U.S. is bogged down in its dealings with Iran, the protesters wanted to declare their stance: “There will be no war in Cuba.”
Members of the Right to Rebel group handed out flyers calling for a boycott of the elections aimed at ending what they termed U.S. imperialism. The flyers included a list of chants like “Cuba Si! Yankee No!” as well as “Protect Cuba! Start a revolution at home!”
On the day of the protest, temperatures soared close to 100 degrees, leading to a low turnout. Very few tourists were drawn to the group’s call for an end to U.S. imperialism.
Activists set up tables where they sold a variety of Marxist, Leninist, and Maoist literature from an independent publisher called Prairie Fire Publishing. The name evokes Mao Zedong’s vision and commitment to revolution.
At the Prairie Fire Publishing booth, one notable book offered to tourists was titled “Raise the Red Flag of the Communist International and its Seventh Congress.” This book provides insights into the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist Congress of the Seventh International Communist Party held in Moscow during the 1930s. The Brazilian Communist Party has penned this work to encourage revolution in nations perceived as capitalist.
Protesters adorned their tents with Cuban flags and some added Palestinian flags as well. A group of masked participants displayed a banner stating, “No to the American invasion of Cuba! Yankees go home!” One speaker, holding a megaphone, led the crowd in pro-communist chants, while another waved a large Cuban flag alongside a statue of Mao Zedong and a wallet sporting the slogan “Serve the People,” often seen in retro Chinese revolutionary memorabilia.
Also present was Project Unidad, a San Antonio nonprofit focused on social justice, which frequently participates in protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the area.
Interestingly, many protesting groups had previously taken part in organized demonstrations against Turning Point USA’s Women’s Leadership Summit earlier in June, where they attempted to breach police lines and disrupt the event.
