Thousands of Cuban exiles rally at Bay of Pigs Monument to celebrate Fidel Castro's death

MIAMI — Thousands of people rallied in Miami's Little Havana to celebrate the death of longtime dictator Fidel Castro.

The rally was held at the Bay of Pigs Monument.

Cuban exiles and former political prisoners called for unity and demanded freedom for their family members.

Speakers said Cubans need to show the world that political change needs to happen in the country.

Meanwhile, Castro's ashes began a ceremonial journey Wednesday east across the country, the reverse of the route Castro and his band of rebels took to seize power from dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

His ashes are expected to arrive in Santiago de Cuba Saturday for a 7 p.m. rally at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square.

Cox Media Group