TAMPA — Residents will stage a caravan Saturday, July 11, to express solidarity with people in Cuba suffering widespread power outages and restricted freedoms, organizers said. The demonstration begins at 4 p.m. at Al Lopez Park and will travel along U.S. 60 before ending at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
What residents should expect
The caravan may affect traffic along the U.S. 60 corridor during the late afternoon. Organizers plan to move from the park to the Clearwater venue in time for a 7:30 p.m. performance by Cuban artist Willy Chirino at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Chirino is known for songs that have become anthems of hope and freedom among many Cuban exiles.
- When: Saturday, July 11 — caravan departs Al Lopez Park at 4 p.m.
- Route: Along U.S. 60 toward Clearwater
- End point: Ruth Eckerd Hall — concert at 7:30 p.m. featuring Willy Chirino
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meet-up | Al Lopez Park |
| Start time | 4:00 p.m. |
| Route | U.S. 60 |
| Finish | Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater |
| Featured performer | Willy Chirino, 7:30 p.m. |
Why organizers are mobilizing
July 11 carries significance for many Cubans: the date recalls the large anti-government protests on the island in 2021, when thousands demonstrated for greater freedom. Local organizers said the caravan is intended to raise awareness about ongoing hardships in Cuba and to show support for people there who lack reliable electricity and face constraints on daily life.
Jansel Lozano, a Cuban native involved with the event, urged local residents to amplify the situation on social media and stay in contact with relatives on the island. In Spanish, he said:
“Do your part. Speak out on social media about what's happening. If you have family in Cuba, tell them what's happening. It's important that the whole world knows what's going on. It's the way we can give a voice to those who don't have one.”
Local coverage
Local outlet Tampa Bay 28 said it will provide updates from the caravan on Saturday. Residents traveling through or near U.S. 60 in the late afternoon should anticipate possible delays and plan alternate routes if needed.
The event brings together political expression and cultural programming: attendees can join the caravan to demonstrate and, if they choose, attend the evening concert by Chirino, whose music resonates with many in Tampa’s Cuban and Cuban-American communities.
