More protests in Central Florida as Cuban internet blackout continues

ORLANDO, Fla. — A handful of protestors gathered outside of Orlando City Hall on Friday in the latest of many protests in Central Florida in response to the growing crisis in Cuba.

“We need more Orlando officials to join the cause, join the movement and speak up for our people,” said protestor Diddenia Ramos.

READ: Cuban protests are ‘beginning of a movement,’ expert says

Katie Coronado, a journalism instructor at UCF and a special advisor for Latin America to UCF’s office of global perspectives, said the lack of internet service in the country hurts the movement.

“Because the communist regime is controlling the internet at all times, we already have limited information about what happens on the island, but now the communist government has cut off all communication, and we don’t know exactly what’s happening there, so it a lot harder for us to inform the communities here in our country,” Coronado said.

READ: Hundreds of protestors in support of Cuba block Semoran Boulevard in Orlando, 1 person arrested

That lack of access led Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to call on the Biden administration to ensure demonstrators have internet access.

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Orlando Cuba protests People gathered across Orlando to march in solidarity with the thousands of Cubans who marched through the streets of Havana on Sunday. (wftv.com)