The slogans evolve and the slogans adjust to the times. If the title of the song homeland and life became one of the most chanted phrases during the protests on July 11, 2021, now they have begun to vary. This Saturday a great uproar broke out in the Juanelo neighborhood, in San Miguel del Padrón (Havana), when the neighbors discovered a protest poster on the façade of the winery.
On the unpainted façade someone had written in huge letters, during the early hours of the morning, three words: “Homeland and lead.” Serafina street, corner to B, where this rationed market place is located, soon filled with onlookers. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes what the graffiti said and some, more daring, managed to take out their phones and take a photo, despite the surveillance operation that was already surrounding the place.
At full speed, a government supporter began erasing the graffiti, prompting more comment from customers who had seen the bodega’s façade deteriorate for years, caked with grime in some places and peeling in another. “For that there is paint, but to fix this neighborhood they say there are no materials,” complained a retiree born in the neighborhood.
The only one who seemed to be outside the whole event was an old man who was just waiting for the store to open so he could buy two pounds of rice.
The only one who seemed to be outside the whole event was an old man who was just waiting, sitting in the doorway, for the store to open so he could buy two pounds of rice, corresponding to the month of July and which they began selling this Saturday. The rest of the hurried consumers, although eager to acquire the cereal, kept a prudent distance. “It’s not going to be that they blame one of that little sign,” grumbled a young man.
By mid-morning, only a few letters of the word “Patria” were left, “the lead was removed first, very early, to prevent people from seeing it,” added the man. Nobody knows how life became a projectile in the famous phrase, but everyone can imagine the popular unrest that moved the hand of the person who wrote the new version of that motto.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio He is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for accompanying us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our newspaper. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
