SWU Returns to Cuba

Southwest Workers Union joined 50 social justice activists from across the United States and Puerto Rico in Havana, Cuba from October 30 – November 2, 2019 for the It Takes Roots delegation to the Continental Convergence for Democracy and Against Neoliberalism. The Convergence included commissions on specific topics such as youth and indigenous sovereignty, as well as side discussions, where members of It Takes Roots were able to strategize with our International partners.

The delegates build deeper relationships, affirmed the principles of solidarity and grassroots internationalism, and are continuing to fight for a systemic transformation against capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism and racism. The ITR delegation also exchanged ideas with community groups in spaces like Casa Tomada MirArte and the Martin Luther King Center for Human Rights, joined hip hop performances, met with artists, farmers, childeren, and government agencies (e.g. the Cuban Women’s Federation, and the Center for Sex Education), and spent an evening at the Puerto Rican mission in Havana.

SWU unites with all peoples’ who are struggling against the authoritarian imposition of a neoliberal agenda, and who are facing a state violence that is sacrificing lives and is increasing the criminalization of our social struggles.

We hear the Cuban people loud and clear! “El Bloqueo es genocidio,’ and it must end!