For Immediate Release: June 23rd, 2023
Contact: press@socialists.nyc
Statement: NYC-DSA celebrates the NY City Council Resolution on Cuba passing
NYC-DSA celebrates the passing of Resolution 0825-A in the New York City Council yesterday, a victory achieved through the determined solidarity work of NYCC members and a coalition of anti-embargo partners including NYC-DSA. This resolution calls on Congress and President Biden to end the unjust embargo on Cuba, lift the travel ban, and remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list (SSOT).
For over 60 years, the US has imposed cruel sanctions on Cuba aimed at crippling its economy and collectively punishing the Cuban people. The blockade makes it difficult for Cuba to import essential items such as food, vitamins, and medical supplies. A 2018 UN estimate calculated that the US embargo has cost Cuba at least $130B. Under Trump, these sanctions — already an illegal human rights violation under international law — were intensified. In tandem with the global pandemic the U.S. blockade has left Cubans in an increasingly dire economic situation. The Trump administration also baselessly added Cuba to the State Sponsors of Terrorism list which limits their recovery by further restricting the country’s ability to borrow money and engage in financial transactions, including those involving humanitarian aid.
The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Despite making a 2020 campaign promise to normalize relations with Cuba and remove them from the SSOT, President Biden has failed to follow through and has instead upheld Trump’s expanded sanctions, even in the face of wide-ranging opposition from his own party. President Biden has the power to make meaningful change in US-Cuba relations today, and we applaud the City Council for making it clear that New Yorkers stand in support of normalization.
This landmark resolution, introduced by CM Charles Barron, passed City Council due to the work of several dedicated NYCC members, including DSA members CM Tiffany Cabán and CM Alexa Avilés, as well as the support of the NYC-DSA Anti-War Working Group, our New York-New Jersey Cuba Sí Coalition partners, and others. With this resolution, New York City joins dozens of cities, including Washington, DC, Chicago, and Boston, as well as other state and local legislative bodies, unions, and the United Nations General Assembly, in condemning the embargo and calling for its end.
As socialists in the United States, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with our friends, family, and comrades in Cuba who have vigilantly defended the triumph of the Cuban Revolution against US attacks for over 60 years. We are energized and inspired by this victory and will continue our fight against US imperialism and economic warfare.
¡Hasta la victoria Siempre! ¡Cuba sí, bloqueo no!
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ABOUT NYC-DSA: New York City Democratic Socialists is the local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America—the largest socialist organization in the United States with over 85,000 members. NYC-DSA is run by its 6,000+ members and activists who are working together to build a democratic socialist organization in the five boroughs.