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Solidarity With Joy From New Jersey
In New Jersey, a group of Cuban exiles has created a unique way to blend solidarity, activism, and culture. Under the name Free Cuba Social Club, they host monthly gatherings with a dual purpose: supporting the families of political prisoners in Cuba and strengthening community ties in the exile diaspora. The Free Cuba Social Club is not just a gathering; it’s a movement for change.
Instead of traditional humanitarian formats, this project chooses a different path — dinners, music, conversation, and celebration. The Free Cuba Social Club organizes these monthly events every second Friday, which have been running for over a year and continue to grow.
The idea emerged organically. Activist and curator Meyken Barrero explains that it began as a spontaneous initiative. It was originally proposed by Armando Álvarez, the son of a political prisoner, who arrived in exile after the Peruvian Embassy occupation and the Mariel exodus.
How can we help those still in Cuba?
During informal gatherings, a recurring question kept surfacing: How can we help those still in Cuba? From that shared concern came the vision of a festive event with a concrete mission. The goal was to support and bring visibility to families of political prisoners while raising funds to ease their economic burden. The Free Cuba Social Club aims to tackle these challenges.
The name Cuba Libre Social Club was suggested by writer Enrique del Risco. It captures both the patriotic spirit and the celebratory nature of the project. Over time, the Free Cuba Social Club initiative has become more structured without losing its community essence. Art historian and activist Anamely Ramos highlights that sustained accompaniment for families is one of its core principles.
Today, the project supports more than 30 families each month, prioritizing the most vulnerable cases. Visual artist Camila Lobón notes that some families remain anonymous for security reasons.
Free Cuba Social Club builds a homeland with joy
Beyond financial aid, the initiative carries a symbolic message. As Ramos puts it: “The heart of the project is the idea that you can build a homeland with joy.” The Free Cuba Social Club reflects this vision.
The Free Cuba Social Club also maintains a digital platform where people can learn about some of the families they support. People can even choose to help a specific family directly.
Although the organizers do not seek to formalize the project, they believe it can serve as a model for other Cuban communities in exile. It is a reminder that solidarity can be joyful, close, and deeply human. The Free Cuba Social Club exemplifies this spirit to the world.
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Key Takeaways
- The Free Cuba Social Club supports families of political prisoners in Cuba through monthly gatherings focused on community and activism.
- Organizers host events combining dining, music, and conversations to raise funds and increase awareness.
- The initiative began from a spontaneous idea by Armando Álvarez and has expanded to include over 30 families each month.
- The project emphasizes joy in solidarity while maintaining direct support for families, some of whom stay anonymous for security.
- The Free Cuba Social Club aims to inspire other Cuban communities in exile by exemplifying a joyful and human approach to activism.
