Cubans celebrate Fidel Castro's death in Echo Park, share hope of free Cuba

By ABC7.com staff
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Cubans celebrated Fidel Castro's death in Echo Park and shared hope for a free Cuba.
ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A few dozen demonstrators gathered in Echo Park Saturday morning to celebrate the passing of Fidel Castro, waving Cuban and U.S. flags at passing cars.

"I couldn't sleep last night... I tried to sleep a couple of times but I couldn't. I can hardly wait to see more Cubans and celebrate," Gilbert San Juan said.
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Individuals told Eyewitness News that their happiness came with a renewed determination to see Cuba become free in their lifetimes.

"Seeing my reaction from my grandparents last night was beautiful, so we're waiting for a free Cuba," Karissa San Juan said.

MORE: Cubans in Miami: Revelry and reflection after Castro's death


A Cuban-American celebrates the death of Fidel Castro Saturday, in the Little Havana area in Miami.AP
Cuban-Americans celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, Saturday, in the Little Havana area in Miami.AP
Cuban-Americans celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, Saturday, in the Little Havana area in Miami.AP
A person wearing a Donald Trump mask holds a sign in Spanish that reads the Rat Dies as he celebrates the death of Fidel Castro Saturday.AP
The death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro prompted celebrations among the country's exiles in Miami.AP
Cuban-Americans celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, Saturday, in the Little Havana area in Miami.AP
Cuban-Americans celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, Saturday, in the Little Havana area in Miami.AP
These three file photos show (l to r) Fidel Castro, in Havana, Cuba, April 29, 1961; speaking to the media about Elian Gonzales in April 6, 2000; and in his Havana home on Feb. 13,AP

Sharing in the optimism, another demonstrator Cecilia Fernandez said, "What it represents is the opportunity for us to really go out there and say, 'Hey, something's got to change."
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Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba were restored last year.

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened the further continuation of the relationship if current Cuban president Raul Castro refuses to provide greater concessions.

PHOTOS: Cuba's Fidel Castro over the years.


Fidel Castro in his 1945 high school yearbook (AP photo)none
Cuban guerrilla leader Fidel Castro does some reading while at his rebel base in Cuba's Sierra Maestra mountains in this 1957 photo. (AP Photo/Andrew St. George)none
In this March 14, 1957 file photo, Fidel Castro, the young anti-Batista guerrilla leader, center, is seen with his brother Raul Castro, (AP Photo/Andrew St. George)none
Fidel Castro, leader of a continuing revolt against president Fulgencio Batista and his regime on Sept. 10, 1957. (AP Photo/Andrew St. George)none
Fidel Castro shown in 1959. (AP Photo)none
Cuban rebel leader Fidel Castro is greeted as he arrives at Cap Columbia, Havana military headquarters late, Jan. 9, 1959. (AP Photo)none
Fidel Castro, fresh from a visit to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, poses in front of the Capitol April 17, 1959. (AP Photo)none
Cuban leader Fidel Castro is shown with his almost constant companion and private secretary Celia Sanchez, shown 1960. (AP Photo)none
Cuban leader Fidel Castro, left, and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev hug at the United Nations in 1962. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)none
In this Sept. 20, 1960 photo, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, center, speaks with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev at the United Nations (AP Photo/Prensa Latina)none
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro speaks on the eve of the military trial of more than a hundred insurgents on Wednesday Oct. 10, 1960 in Havana. (AP Photo)none
In this Feb. 13, 1961 file photo, Prime Minister Fidel Castro went cane cutting with thousands of other volunteer workers. (AP Photo)none
Castro in 1971 (AP photo)none
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro replied to President Kennedy's naval blockade over Cuban radio and television, October 23, 1962. (AP Photo)none
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro responds to a question from American NBC reporter Barbara Walters in Havana, May 7, 1975. (AP Photo)none
Democratic Presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cuban President Fidel Castro shake hands in Havana, Cuba June 7, 1984. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)none
In this Oct. 12, 1979 file photo, Cuban President, Fidel Castro, points during his lengthy speech before the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)none
Cuban President Fidel Castro speaking in Camaguay, July 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)none
Castro greets Yasser Arafat. (AP photo)none
Cuban President Fidel Castro waves to the crowd as he arrives in Las Tunas, Cuba Saturday July 26, 1997.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)none
Pope John Paul II listens to a welcoming speech by President Fidel Castro of Cuba, Wednesday Jan 21, 1998 in Havana. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)none
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, right, with Cuban President Fidel Castro (AP photo)none
Cuban President Fidel Castro, right, and African leader Nelson Mandela in Matanzas Saturday, July 27, 1991. (AP Photo)none
Cuba's Fidel Castro speaks during a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in Havana, Cuba in 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Castro)none
Cuban leader Fidel Castro greets Pope John Paul II Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998. (AP photo/Paul Hanna)none
Fidel Castro, left, and Cuba's President Raul Castro attend the 6th Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday April 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)none
Pope Francis and Cuba's Fidel Castro shake hands, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Castro)none
Fidel Castro, left, raises his brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, on Aug. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File)none
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