TAMPA, Fla. — Hundreds of people gathered last night in Tampa, again calling for freedom and democracy in Cuba.
The island is seeing a rare uprising as food and medical care grow scarce.
What You Need To Know
- Monday night protest shuts down major Tampa intersection
- Hundreds gathered at Hillsborough-Armenia avenues, marching and waving Cuban flags
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The Cuban government has shut off internet across the island but that's not stopping Cubans and Cuban-Americans from making their voices heard.
In Tampa, crowds gathered Monday night at Hillsborough Avenue and Armenia Avenue to make their voices heard. Hundreds blocked off the major intersection, marching and waving Cuban flags, to demand action from U.S. lawmakers.
Protests in Tampa and Orlando started last weekend.
Some protesters said online that street demonstrations in Tampa will continue until U.S. government intervenes in Cuba.
Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott both spoke about the protests on the Senate floor Monday. Scott called on President Joe Biden to impose more sanctions on the island.
President Biden said the protesters in Cuba deserve to be heard by their government -- but Cubans in Tampa protesting say more needs to be done.
“We need help,” said protester Gina Feliciano. “Family members are in Cuba, they finally have the courage to go out into the streets, something they’ve never done in 62 years.
“They’re asking for freedom, they’re asking for food, they’re asking for medicine.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is also speaking out saying Tampa stands with the Cuban (people) whose ancestors helped build our community.
She is calling this fight for freedom in Cuba all of our fight.
Protesters in Tampa say more of these pop-up street protests are coming, maybe as early as later today.