Cubans living in Calgary gather to protest the government’s crackdown on their hometown-Calgary

On Friday night, a small group of Calgarians who had connections with Cuba but were determined to rallied to express their solidarity with family and friends living in the island nation.

Earlier this month, thousands of Cubans took to the streets to participate in the country’s largest anti-government demonstration in decades.

Before the police violently suppressed them, they protested food shortages, high prices and chanted “freedom.”

Ariana Ricardo joined a small group outside Calgary City Hall to participate in a rally called “Freedom Tour”.

She said many people are afraid of protesting what is happening in their hometown because they are afraid of retaliation against their families.

But Ricardo insisted on speaking out and showing solidarity with the people in his hometown.

“I can speak for my people in Cuba,” she said, noting that at least one person was killed in the protest. “I am showing their way of life to the world. We are here for the freedom of our country.”

Ricardo said that since the Cuban authorities blocked telephone lines and cut off the Internet, apparently to prevent the inflow, outflow and movement of information within the country, she has not had any contact with her family.

It is estimated that there are about 600 Cubans in Calgary.