Hundreds of Thousands of People Attended May Day Rally at Revolution Square

HAVANA, Cuba, May 1 (acn) Hundreds of thousands of Havana residents, together with friends of Cuba who came to the island for the occasion from dozens of countries paraded through the capital's Jose Marti Revolution Square on this May Day, in a historic moment for the nation and Latin America.

Army General Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) and President of the councils of State and Ministers, was present along with other leaders at the massive march, which had Unity and Commitment as one of its main slogans.
In his opening remarks, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, member of the Politburo of the PCC and secretary general of the Cuban Workers Confederation, pointed out as motivations for parading the 90 birthday of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and the 55th anniversary of the proclamation the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution.
Since the main rally for May Day was also dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the declaration of Cuba as the first illiteracy-free territory, educators opened the patriotic march at Havana's Jose Marti Revolution Square.
Also taking part in the historic demonstration were Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the PCC and Vice-president of the councils of State and Ministers, and Miguel Diaz-Canel, member of the Politburo and First Vice-president of the councils of State and Ministers, among other leaders.
The presence of more than two thousand foreign visitors representing unions, parties and organizations and of a high number of tourists eager to witness and participate in a momentous time was significant and symbolic.