Thousands of Cubans chanted “Freedom,” “Unite,” and  “Enough” as they march through the streets of Havana in protest against the country’s Communist dictatorship on Sunday and into Monday. Cubans stood on their balconies and cheered as protesters marched toward the city’s Malecon promenade.

The government shut down internet service to keep people from broadcasting the march with their cellphones. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been tweeting throughout the uprising, also noted reports of withheld medical care for those injured by authorities in a crackdown on protestors. 

What prompted the march? The protests came amid a food shortage in the island nation. “We are fed up with the queues, the shortages. That’s why I’m here,” one protester said. 

Authorities arrested at least 20 of the marchers, according to The Associated Press. 

“The people came out to express themselves freely, and they are repressing and beating them,” said Rev. Jorge Luis Gil, a Roman Catholic priest.

—With reporting from J.C. Derrick

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2021, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.