NJ Rep. Sires Voices Support For Protesters In Cuba

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Congressman Albio Sires joined politicians across New Jersey and the U.S. in supporting the protesters in Cuba. Sires was born in Bejucal, Cuba and came to the U.S. when he was 11-years-old. Sires called the protests inspirational and said he felt "a deep connection to those who courageously took the streets."

Sires voiced his support at a press conference in West New York with Cuban leaders. On Sunday, thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest a lack of food and medicine as the country struggles through a grave economic crisis made worse by a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

Several protesters were arrested by police on Sunday, who broke up some demonstrations with tear gas, CNN reported. Many chanted for "freedom" and an end to communism, and called for President Miguel Díaz-Canel to step down, who in turn, accused the U.S. government of making the situation worse with its ongoing trade sanctions.

President Joe Biden has expressed public support for the protesters, and has asked the Cuban government to allow for peaceful rallies, Fox News reported. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez also called the protests inspirational and said it's important that the U.S. stands "in support of the Cuban people" if the protests continue.

Sires said he has never given up hope that the Cuban people will no longer live under a dictatorship.

"I am deeply inspired by the tremendous courage I witnessed yesterday, and I will continue to do everything I can in Congress to promote the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people,"

"As is all too common in Cuba, these peaceful demonstrations were met with repression when the Cuban regime responded with the only tool it knows how to deploy. I received dozens of reports of detentions and beatings, though this information was difficult to verify due to the service outages and internet blockades imposed by the regime. I call on the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all those who were arbitrarily detained, as well as the dozens of other political prisoners in Cuba. I also call on the dictatorship to cease its internet blockages and its censorship of communications, which are also violations of human rights."

"I deeply appreciate Speaker Pelosi’s expressions of support for the Cuban people. She has been a tireless advocate for democracy and human rights, and I will continue to work with her and my colleagues to promote freedom and democracy in Cuba."

"I urge our allies in the European Union and throughout Latin America to join the call for freedom in Cuba. Consistently advocating for human rights means doing so regardless of ideology or political preference. A dictatorship is a dictatorship and it is plain to see that this one is crumbling under mounting pressure, as Cubans’ calls for freedom grow stronger and stronger," Sires said.

Patch Reporter Eric Kifer contributed to this report.