Three years ago, the Cuban people took to the streets in the largest demonstration in decades to protest for freedom. In recognition of the third anniversary of the historic July 11 protests in Cuba, the Florida Democratic Party issued the following statement:

“Since July 11, 2021, the Cuban regime has kept hundreds of peaceful protesters in prison and continued efforts to silence Cubans, intimidate protestors and detain political prisoners,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

“Three years later, the Castro-Canel dictatorship continues to hold the most prominent leader of the Cuban opposition, Jose Daniel Ferrer, imprisoned and isolated. Several other leaders are also still being held in prison, including the leader of the San Isidro movement and Cuban artist, Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, Cuban opposition leader Félix Navarro Rodríguez, the coordinator of the Party for Democracy Pedro Luis Boitel, and his daughter, Lady in White Saylí Navarro, Maikel “El Osorbo,” who is one of the composers and interpreters of the song Patria Y Vida, which became a hymn of freedom for Cubans.

“As Florida Democrats, we reaffirm our support for the people of Cuba in their struggle for freedom. We echo their calls and the phrase: Patria Y Vida, not death.”