Ybor City is reminder of Cuba's role in shaping Tampa, highlights importance of fighting for freedom

As #SOSCuba demonstrations near two weeks, Cubans in Tampa remember the city's roots are founded in their culture. "The plans for liberation of Cuba, we're rolled into a cigar in Ybor City and sent there to Cuba years ago," Tony Morejon said. Morejon is the former Hispanic liaison for Hillsborough County. As he sits in La Faraona Cigars, he remembers his grandfather that came to Ybor City and rolled cigars 100 years ago. He says Cuba has always been engrained in Tampa. "We came here for a purpose. The lady that owns this cigar shop, she's a Cuban who became free, who got her liberty," Morejon says of the owner Odelma Matos. Morejon used to protest for Cuba's freedom years ago. Now he's watching his people take to the streets for freedom and his son is in the crowd.

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