On July 11, demonstrators in Cuba took to the streets to protest shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. We have heard from Friends in Cuba that people are struggling and in dire need of economic and material support. We stand in solidarity with the Quaker community and with Cubans from all political and religious affiliations who are struggling during this time, and we believe that people should have the right to protest without being criminalized.
We call on the Biden administration to immediately end the U.S. blockade and travel restrictions against Cuba. The blockade has had a devastating effect on the Cuban economy for decades, making it far more difficult for the Cuban people to access goods, medical care, and basic necessities.
As people across the globe struggle to recover from COVID-19 and its economic and political fallout, it is critically important that we work together across borders to ensure health care and wellbeing for all. It is collaboration – not sanctions or military interventions – that will lead to shared security and an end to the pandemic.
Friends United Meeting is preparing to send support to Cuban Friends through their COVID-19 Solidarity Fund. Contributions to this fund will go to support the ministries of Cuba Yearly Meeting. If you would like to support this effort, you can mail a check to Friends United Meeting, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN, 47374 or give online.