The flood of Cubans into Havana's Revolution Square began in the earliest hours of May Day; by the time the rally officially began, it was clear that the crowd has surpassed the record of 1.2 million who gathered for the May Day rally in 1996. Carrying Cuban flags, banners denouncing the 37-year old U.S. blockade and portraits, they arrived by train, bus, bike, and foot in a continuous flow that went on for hours. The tremendous mobilization of workers, women, youth, students and seniors - more than one in ten Cubans participated in the rally - served as an overwhelming tribute to the resolve of the Cuban people to defend the gains of their Revolution, to defend their sovereignty, dignity and independence. Present on the stage were President Fidel Castro, Vice President Carlos Lage, congressional leader Ricardo Alarcon and Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina, along with other social, religious and cultural personalities. In a May Day editorial, Granma, the organ of the Communist Party of Cuba, reported that membership in the Party has been rising faster during the Special Period then ever before. An average of 46,000 are joining the party every year, compared to an average of around 27,000 during the 1980s. Shawgi Tell University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education [EMAIL PROTECTED]