A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers took part in a roundtable discussion to honor the second anniversary of the July 11 pro-democracy Cuban protests. In continuing to honor the protestors, “Patria Y Vida” street was unveiled this week.
Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R) joined Hialeah Mayor Steve Bovo to unveil the “Patria y Vida” Street unveiling. Both lawmakers spoke at the Plaza naming ceremony, and Rep. Diaz-Balart shared images of the event on social media.
“’Patria y Vida’ has become a mantra and a movement for thousands of Cubans who took to the streets to peacefully protests [sic] the brutal and murderous Cuban dictatorship two years ago on July 11,” he said, adding that “the Cuban people’s fight for freedom and democracy continues.”
To further honor the protest movement, Rep. Diaz-Balart expressed that “this street and plaza renaming ensures that the cause of freedom is immortalized and preserved for generations to come.”
Other lawmakers also chimed in regarding the two-year anniversary of the protests that sparked a nationwide discussion over Cuba and what the United States is doing to help the Cuban people amidst the communist dictatorship.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R), who’s currently running for president, took to social media to share his thoughts on the protests.
“The largest protest for freedom in Cuba began two years ago… Unfortunately, the Biden Administration ignored their pleas for help,” Suarez said. “As President, I would have a message to the oppressors of Cuba – freedom is coming!” he vowed.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) also commented on the protests, saying that “as the people of Cuba took to the streets to demand freedom, I urged President Biden to provide them internet and take a strong stance against the communist dictatorship. Instead, we got silence.”
However, DeSantis argues that “Florida still stands with their fight for freedom.”
