Havana, Cuba - May 1, 2024

Storyline:
Cuba held a grand International Workers' Day rally in its capital, Havana, on Wednesday, as a demonstration of national pride and a protest against the U.S. sanctions.

Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro, and Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban President, attended the event at the city's Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Plaza. The gathering also attracted about 200,000 participants, including thousands of international supporters from 58 countries and 220 organizations.

Under the theme of "For Cuba Together We Create", the rally advocated for national unity as a means to overcome economic challenges and achieve recovery despite the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

"The intensification of the U.S. policy aimed at suffocating our people to the maximum, along with our internal shortcomings, is shaping this scenario. The more complex the environment, the greater the need for unity. It's this unity that has gathered us here together and helped us overcome the tough challenges," stated Ulises Guilarte, General Secretary of the Workers' Central Union of Cuba (CTC), in his rally speech.

Shotlist:
Havana, Cuba - May 1, 2024:
1. Participants at International Workers' Day rally;
2. Various of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro at rally;
3. Various of rally performances in progress;
4. General Secretary of Workers' Central Union of Cuba Ulises Guilarte delivering speech;
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ulises Guilarte, general secretary, Workers' Central Union of Cuba (partially overlaid with shot 6):
"The intensification of the U.S. policy aimed at suffocating our people to the maximum, along with our internal shortcomings, is shaping this scenario. The more complex the environment, the greater the need for unity. It's this unity that has gathered us here together and helped us overcome the tough challenges."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
6. Rally participants holding banner;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
7. Various of street views, pedestrians, vehicles;
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Rally participant from Chile (name not given) (starting with shot 7/ending with shot 9): "Cuba is a beacon of hope, reminding us that a better world is achievable. Despite adversity, blockades and economic pressures, Cuba demonstrates that resistance is possible.";
9. Fruit stand, building.

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