July 11, 2021: A country took to the streets

On Sunday, July 11, 2021, people took to the streets in San Antonio de los Baños, southwest of Havana. They chanted “Freedom,” “Patria y Vida,” and “We are not afraid.”

A map locating San Antonio de los Baños in Cuba — San Antonio de los Baños, where the first widely reported demonstration began.

Within hours, demonstrations were reported across the island. Videos recorded by participants documented crowds in Camagüey, Las Tunas, Ciego de Ávila, Pinar del Río, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and dozens of other communities.

The demonstrations spread

Demonstration reported in Camagüey

Demonstration reported in Las Tunas

Demonstration reported in Ciego de Ávila

Demonstration reported in Pinar del Río

In the blink of an eye, demonstrations were taking place at the same time in more than 90 reported locations.

Map showing reported protest locations across Cuba on July 11, 2021 — Reported July 11 protest locations. The original collaborative Google map remains available below.

Open the detailed protest map ↗

What made the day historic

The demonstrations were remarkable for their geographic breadth and for the speed with which participants’ own recordings reached the world. For many Cubans, July 11 broke the assumption that fear and isolation would prevent collective public dissent.

The majority of the demonstrations began peacefully. Cuban law does not permit ordinary citizens to carry firearms; weapons were held by the state, military personnel, and police.

What followed is documented in our coverage of the government response, the internet shutdown, and the people detained after the protests.