The fate of Cuba is heavy on the minds of the people of Union City, where there is a large population of Cuban Americans.

A raising of the Cuban flag happened Monday on Palisade Avenue in a ceremony to honor the Cuban people.

Former political prisoners of the Fidel Castro regime took the honors of pulling up the flag while the Cuban national anthem played.

They were surrounded by fellow Cuban Americans, many holding signs saying that the Cuban people cannot even express themselves for fear of being jailed by the communist government.

There is still much doubt concerning a free Cuba unless there are free elections. Many people won't go back until then.



"Out of respect for all those who have suffered like the political prisoners, the separations of family, the firing squads ... I'm grateful Fidel is no longer in this world," said City Commissioner Celin Valdivia



Many of those on hand do not want a relaxation of relations between the U.S. and Cuba until those changes are made.