9:30 p.m. UPDATE: The demonstration continued after the sun went down, with protesters continuing to block major streets and intersections in Tampa. They're still chanting, calling for freedom on the communist island.
Demonstrations continue into the night. @BN9 #CubaLibre pic.twitter.com/6lzvP2jLXj
— Trevor Pettiford (@TrevorPettiford) July 14, 2021
7:00 p.m. UPDATE: The protesters are now on the march, walking against traffic on Dale Mabry Highway.
ORIGINAL STORY:
TAMPA — For a second consecutive day, people are gathering in Tampa to call for freedom and democracy in Cuba.
A rally Tuesday evening is blocking northbound lanes of the Dale Mabry Highway.
What You Need To Know
- Protesters were blocking northbound lanes of Dale Mabry in Tampa
- Tampa police have responded, along with city councilman
- REAL TIME TRAFFIC MAP shows conditions
- MONDAY STORY: Cuba protests extend to Tampa
- PODCAST: Is it time for a new approach to U.S.-Cuba relations?
The protests started at about 4 p.m., according to Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Josh Rojas, with the crowds getting into the streets about a half-hour later.
Strong storms caused a few people to leave, but Rojas said at 5:30 that 100-200 people remained.
"They are killing our people," one protester said of Cuba's communist government.
People in the crowd were shouting, "Where is Biden?" and other chants.
Tampa police responded to the scene and asked the protesters to stop blocking the road. The protesters responded by sitting down.
City Councilman Luis Viera also responded to the scene, asking protesters to leave the road.
Demonstrations started on Sunday in Cuba and have spread elsewhere, including to the Tampa Bay area and to Orlando.
On Monday, crowds gathered at Hillsborough Avenue and Armenia Avenue to make their voices heard.
The island is seeing a rare uprising as food and medical care grow scarce.
Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 and the Spectrum News app for updates.
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