Cienfuegos.— 65 years after the first major defeat of Yankee imperialism in Latin America, the people of Cienfuegos gathered in José Martí Park to launch the "My signature for the Homeland" movement, in support of the recent Declaration of the Revolutionary Government.
Educator Damián Cosme, Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, expressed his commitment as "a Cuban capable of fulfilling what the Revolution sets before us and giving my life if necessary."
Anay Morera Guillen, secretary of the Central Workers' Union of Cuba in Cienfuegos, expressed: "We are here to tell the world that Cuba will not surrender, and now, when the Homeland needs us most, we are more united to overcome every adversity."
A FAMILY MATTER, TOO
Sancti Spíritus.— With his little princess (Dina) in tow, he leans over the table where he will sign his name. His other son, Dairon, and his wife, Yudiana, are with him. For Andrés Concepción, a transportation worker, this is, quite simply, a family matter.
"I came here out of pure conviction," he tells me, "because these are the moments to give a resounding yes to our country. It’s the legacy from colonial times, but it’s also about continuity, which is of utmost importance, because as they say in baseball, ‘it ain’t over till it’s over,’ and for us, it’s not going to end. There will be Cuba and the Revolution forever."
"I see it as a transmission from my elders to me, from me to my children, and from them to the children they will one day have…"
"So no one forced me to come, much less to endorse the call to sign this document. I am very glad to have done it with my family, because it is a way of demonstrating to imperialism and the entire world the unity we have as a people, our rejection of the United States blockade, our repudiation of war, violence, and terrorism, and the commitment to peace that we have always had as a nation."
SURRENDER IS THE ONLY PRICE WE ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY
Bayamo, Granma.— In the Revolution Square of this Monument City, residents of Granma from different generations recalled, as at the Bay of Pigs invasion, that freedom is not negotiable. Reynaldo Fernández Moreno, representing the heroic combatants, denounced the persistence of imperialist harassment: "The United States has not relented in its efforts to crush the Cuban Revolution through various plans of aggression to divide and destabilize us."
Fernández Moreno denounced the hypocrisy of the enemy: "They accuse us of sponsoring terrorism and have carried out thousands of subversive campaigns against our people to intimidate our capacity for resistance."
AS IN BAY OF PIGS, VICTORY AWAITS US
Santa Clara.— "I came to reaffirm my commitment to the Homeland. In times like these, of dangers and threats, there is no alternative other than that expressed by Fidel 66 years ago: ‘Homeland or Death,’" stated Manuel Soliño Guevara, Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, after signing his commitment to Cuba and its Revolution during an activity at the Valle del Yabú Agricultural Enterprise.
There, in the middle of a field and after completing his volunteer work, "The Pioneer," as everyone knows this tireless tourism worker, acknowledged the importance of uniting wills so that peace prevails and military aggression does not affect our country, while also pointing out that Cuba has never been a threat to any nation.
FOR OUR FLAG "WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN MERCENARY"
Santiago de Cuba.— With the raising of the Cuban flag at emblematic sites in the Cradle of the Revolution, the commemorative events began for the 65th anniversary of the first major defeat of Yankee imperialism in the Americas, "reaffirming that, although we are a people who love peace, our flag will be defended at any cost."
So said the young Yesenia Acuña Borrero, before the equestrian statue of Maceo in the Plaza de la Revolución that bears his name.
Very close by, at the Guillermón Moncada Stadium, residents of Santiago of all ages gathered to celebrate the anniversary that demonstrated the Cuban people’s determination not to allow interference or invasions, "and without a doubt, I also take this opportunity to pledge my support for the Homeland, for our dignity, and for peace," added Yaney León.
CUBA LOVES PEACE, BUT NOT REFUSES TO DEFEND ITS SOVEREIGNTY
Holguín.— With their signatures, thousands of compatriots residing in this region of eastern Cuba demonstrated the nation's commitment to peace, which is its very essence. This commitment is coupled with the conviction that defending ourselves is a supreme duty for Cubans.
In the provincial capital, during the patriotic gathering held in Calixto García Park, before the pledge was signed, Elaine Cruz Bobas, a young public health professional, affirmed that "the truth of these people will not be silenced. The suffering of millions of Cubans as a result of the blockade and the brutal economic war is an act of genocide."
EDILIA'S YES AND NO
José Martí Park in the city of Ciego de Ávila is a familiar setting for significant events. Edilia Gutiérrez Cordero arrived early this Sunday morning. She works for the Provincial Directorate of Economy and Planning. She lives by numbers, by balance sheets, by what can be achieved and what cannot. But today she isn't here to add up figures. She's here to add her name. She's here to sign.
"My signature for the Homeland," she says, her voice not competing with the park's bustle, but asserting itself, "is a way of saying: We are here."
And she repeats: We are here. In the face of the escalating imperialist threat. As a native of Ciego de Ávila. As a Cuban; a woman who works to plan her province's economy and who today is also planning a gesture of dignity.
But her signature has two edges. It's not just a yes. It's also a no.
"I also sign," she adds, her tone growing more serious, "a resounding no to the war that those who wage the most war in the world want to impose on us."
Then Edilia speaks of happiness. And the word, amidst so much economic suffocation, sounds almost miraculous.
"I feel happy," she says. "Every day I make Cuba the way I want, because I feel free in the country where I was born."
Free. The word carries weight. It is not an abstract or rhetorical freedom. It is the freedom of someone who, despite everything, chooses to stay, chooses to be among many good people, chooses to build, chooses to sign.
IN LAS TUNAS, BAY OF PIGS IS TODAY AND WILL BE TOMORROW
Las Tunas.— In front of the image of National Hero José Martí, in the square that bears his name, hundreds of residents of Las Tunas gathered to condemn the United States blockade against Cuba and the constant threats from the Washington government.
It was a vibrant and hopeful gathering, as expressed in his remarks by university professor Carlos Alberto Suárez Arcos, who noted that "in many places, solidarity actions with Cuba are taking place because no one forgets that this archipelago is a far-reaching symbol" and affirmed that "it is not a weapon of mass destruction, it is a soul of mass construction."
SIGNATURES FOR THE HOMELAND: TWO YOUNG VOICES FROM CAMAGUEY
Camaguey.— In the Victoria de Girón neighborhood, hundreds of inhabitants gathered to sign for the Homeland. There, two young people powerfully expressed the significance of adding their names to the petition in defense of Cuba.
Yolanda Molina Castillo, a student at the University of Camaguey, made it clear that her signature was not an empty gesture. "History confirms our tradition of struggle, and the examples are written in the blood of thousands of men and women who fell for this freedom and peace we enjoy."
For his part, Juan Carlos Blanco told Granma, with the conviction of someone who has sworn to protect lives: "I signed for Cuba and for Fidel, for the Homeland, the Revolution, and Socialism. My signature is my commitment to defend our future, our principles, and our sovereignty."
"GRINGO, THINK THROUGH"
Guantánamo.— "Here are my hands, if needed to save the Revolution." Taylienis Acosta Jiménez said this at the very spot where, on April 25, 1895, Martí and Gómez were saved, along with the Revolution that was restarting.
There, at the end of a productive day at the Arroyo Hondo agricultural complex, workers from various sectors expressed their support for the declaration of our Revolutionary Government.
"I am like my people: peaceful," Taylienis said. "Gringo, think before you attack us," she said to Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and all those who threaten us. "Because if you do, there will be deaths and grieving families on both sides; something very painful. It is your responsibility; prevent it."
