The Black Lives Matter group mourned and defended former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and said it felt an “overwhelming sense of loss” after the death of the communist dictator on Friday.
“Although no leader is without their flaws, we must push back against the rhetoric of the right and come to the defense of El Comandante,” the group wrote in an unsigned editorial published Sunday titled, “Lessons from Fidel: Black Lives Matter and the Transition of El Comandante.”
The group praised Castro’s “revolution,” and said humans deserve certain rights based on being born, including: “healthy food, clean water, decent housing, safe communities, quality healthcare, mental health services, free and quality education, community spaces, art, democratic engagement, regular vacations, sports, and places for spiritual expression are not questions of resources, but questions of political will and they are requirements of any humane society.”
Through Castro, Black Lives Matter insists there can be lessons of “freedom and the peace.”
The group praised Castro for harboring Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther member and convicted cop killer who remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. It also supported his decision to grant refuge to “Michael Finney, Ralph Goodwin, Charles Hill and ‘so many other Black revolutionaries who were being persecuted by the American government during the Black Power era.”
The group urged its members to “pick up the mantle” of revolution from Castro.
“As Fidel ascends to the realm of the ancestors, we summon his guidance, strength, and power as we recommit ourselves to the struggle for universal freedom. Fidel Vive!” Black Lives Matter wrote.
Castro led the Republic of Cuba for 47 years as both prime minister and president. Cuba became a socialist state under Castro, who also led the Communist Party. He died at the age of 90 in Havana on Nov. 25.
Black Lives Matter is a movement that campaigns against police brutality and systemic racism toward black people. It began in 2013 as a hashtag in response to the shooting death of black teen Trayvon Martin and gained national traction following the 2014 deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
