Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/after-rare-protest-show-dissent-cuba-artists-say-government-agrees-n1249234
The words protest and Cuba are rarely, if ever, in the same sentence together as the communist country has no tolerance for dissent. Yet, a rare protest in Cuba known as the San Isidro Movement, has gained traction worldwide as over 200 mainly young artists and activists have gathered outside the Ministry of Culture in Havana demanding the release of a jailed rapper as well for the right of freedom of expression.
Understanding Cuban history over the latter half of the 20th century will quickly demonstrate that the communist government Fidel Castro had solidified strongly in Cuba, tend to quell protests in a manner of hours by police or military. Cuba has been flagged for human rights violations for this exact reason for many decades now as protests in Cuba rarely ever get the chance to gain traction. However, the recent protests prove differently has the ministry had allowed 30 representatives from the crowd to voice their complaints on freedom of expression. While not an outright win for the movement, it stark’s a key milestone that the Cuban government had acknowledge the protestors at all by inviting representatives to voice their concerns as oppose to outright jailing all of them.
While the future of the San Isidro movement remains unknown for now, it has undoubtedly left its impact for future Cubans as a glimmer of hope that change is possible. The rise of the internet and social media has made it possible for Cubans across the island nation to learn of such protests occurring in Havana even when the communist government has a complete monopoly over all forms of telecommunication.