Activists from the Los Angeles Hands Off Cuba Committee (Lahoc) reiterated their demand to the US government to lift the economic blockade that is causing so much damage to the Cuban people.

According to a communiqué sent from Washington to Prensa Latina, the Lahoc members raised their voices in a women’s march in which more than 35,000 people participated in this California city on 8 March, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Among the demands of the attendees, a predominantly female and young crowd that came out to defend abortion in the midst of the current conservative policies of Donald Trump’s administration, those in solidarity with Cuba reiterated the need to eliminate not only the economic but also the financial and commercial siege that is trying to suffocate the island.

The text noted that they also set up a table with information material and a giant banner that read: «End the US blockade of Cuba, remove Cuba from the SSOT (State Sponsors of Terrorism) list».

During the march, Lahoc’s team distributed 1,500 copies of a flyer entitled «Women in Cuba: Revolution in the Revolution» which explains the achievements of women since 1959 and the new Family Code.

At the same time, the young activists sold books, buttons and made registrations for the delegation that will travel to the May Day activities on the island.

An important part of the demonstration was a contingent of 500 workers from the Service Employees International Union, as well as groups of high school and university students, teachers, Palestinian and First Nations activists, and others.

In addition, affiliates of the National Organisation of Women and the National Abortion Rights Action League attended.

«At the peaceful protest there were thousands of signs that focused mainly on defending a woman’s right to control her body and against Trump,» stressed Mark Friedman, a member of the International Association of Machinists.