Ithaca Friends of Cuba

USCCE Update · September 17, 2009

Cuban Artists to Perform in US and Puerto Rico for first time since 2003

Visas provided by State Department to Zenaida Romeu, Pablo Milanés viewed as “major breakthrough”

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Never let it be said that our alternative media and new modes of communication like blogs, Facebook and Twitter will ever replace the role of the conventional daily paper. It came as a complete surprise that I read in this morning’s Ithaca Journal that Emiliano Acevedo, a recent Ithaca College graduate, just returned with the Venceremos Brigade.

The article Ithacan joins Cuba protest trip, states:

The 23-year-old now hopes to inspire more Ithacans to join him for next year’s trip, and he is planning to start a Cuba solidarity group here.

Please go to the Ithaca Journal website NOW to comment on the story. This kind of opportunity doesn’t happen everyday.

I do hope he does stay around and help build the new momentum locally for increased understanding and bridges between the peoples of the US and Cuba, an end to the US trade, econmonic, and cultural blockade of Cuba, full freedom to travel, and re-nomalization of relations between our two countries. We have mostly focused on Pastors for Peace Caravans, which are also a travel challenge. Having met the brigadistas two years ago and interviewing some of them for a video (which I really should post on this site) I can see that the Venceremos Brigade has a great appeal for young people, and it really deserves more of our attention and support.

I think it would be great to host an event in September with both Dan Burgevin and Emiliano Acevedo as featured participants. Can we couple this with something cultural?

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Cuba’s ex-president Fidel Castro, second from left, in Havana, Friday, July 31, 2009. Delegation members are, from left, Rev. Lucius Walker, Ellen Bernstein, and Rev. Tom Smith. Walker, the founder of the New York-based church group that opposes the U.S. embargo of Cuba said Thursday that former Cuban President Fidel Castro looked strong and animated during their July 31 meeting.

I am back from my third trip with pastors for peace to our neighbor Cuba. Every time I have gone, the place and people there get a little deeper into my consciousness. We visit new facilities or see a different service that the revolution has provided for the people and I’m further convinced about how much we have to learn from Cuba about living together peacefully. Too, I’m further convinced about how fearful our government must be about having a different system of living together as a fair and equitable society right under our noses being revealed to ordinary US citizens. Why else would we be trying (since 1959) to be undermining, trying to assassinate, poison and bomb Cuba’s citizens and leadership? Why else would we be trying to undermine its economy and deny its people medicine and food for its children? Why else would 11 different US administrations punish Cuba just for having the right of self determination? I’ll tell you why —fear. Continue Reading »

Canadian caravanista Janine Bandcroft reports from Tampico:

a few of us have braved the tropical heat and wandered to an internet cafe in tampico. they wont let me plug in, their keys are different, so i dont know where all the punctuation is, i cant upload photos, i’ve only got an hour, so ill make this quick and try again somewhere later.

our two border crossings, in the north, were pretty much without incident. but last night, after driving all day, we got to the docks in tampico around 9 pm and had to wait a couple of hours before theyd let us in to unload the buses.

Go to post on Journey to Cuba with Pastors for Peace.

Photos courtesy Marty Luster

Pastors for Peace–July 8, 2009
Alison Bodine is a co-driver for the 20th annual Pastors for Peace caravan, and she’s in Ithaca tonight for a Cuba Night event. Bodine tells us about her activism and why she is a part of this annual trip.

 

 Alison Bodine interview on WHCU July 8, 2009: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonight’s dinner and program will be ANNEX of the ITHACA UNITARIAN CHURCH, 208 E. Buffalo, rather than the parlor. Enter the door on Buffalo Street for the Steppingstones Pre-School and take elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor. The change is due to a water leak affecting the parlor. Though it will mean a few extra steps to carry food, the good news is that the space will be
air-conditioned and it is easier to dance on a tile floor rather than carpet.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Please arrive early, about 5 pm, if you can volunteer.>

WE NEED BOXES!

Dan and Alison need strong boxes to pack power tools for Cuba. If you have strong, sturdy boxes, bring them to the dinner. Also, if you have tools to donate, that would be wonderful.

Syracuse woman plans to be part of group to defy US law, aid Cubans The Post-Standard – Syracuse.com – Syracuse,NY,USA Syracuse woman plans to be part of group to defy US law, aid Cubans. She will be among members of several groups that will meet in Texas and go to Cuba with the Pastors for Peace US-Cuba Friendship Caravan. Pastors for Peace…

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 Dan Burgevin on WHCU Newswatch 7-03-08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I received a call from Dan Burgevin about 11 am this morning (Thursday). He reported that 12 vehicles were stopped by Customs and Border Patrol and that computers —clearly designated for medical and humanitarian purposes— were seized. These computers are intended for schools, hosptials and clinics in Cuba. Dan called in to WHCU AM 870 for a news interview. The segment, about 5-minutes, was broadcast on the evening Newswatch program. If you missed it, I was able to record it and have uploaded a low bandwidth MP3.

Dan is urging us to call our representatives and pressure our government to release the seized aid. The action alert below lists specific targets. Please call.

National Committee To Free The Cuban Five Bulletin —An alert from the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition

Pastors for Peace Caravan stopped at U.S.-Mexico border.
Computers destined for Cuba seized by Border Patrol
Take Action Now!

Pastors for Peace Caravans have been taking supplies and solidarity to Cuba since 1992. This year’s Caravan is dedicated to the freedom of the Cuban Five. We urge supporters to read the alert below and take action immediately!

We have just received word that the Pastors for Peace Caravan, which challenges the U.S. blockade of Cuba on an annual basis, has been stopped at the U.S.-Mexico border. As always, the Pastors for Peace buses are carrying medicines and other materials to show their solidarity with the people of Cuba.

Rev. Thomas Smith, President of the Board of Directors for the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization/Pastors for Peace, told ANSWER, “We’ve had 31 computers seized by the Customs and Border Patrol at the U.S.-Mexico border. These computers were destined for classrooms, clinic and hospitals in Cuba. These are 31 classrooms, clinics and hospitals that now will not have the opportunity to have computers.” Smith vowed to “maintain a demonstration until we get the computers back” and called upon all opponents of the U.S. blockade to take a moment to protest this outrageous and cruel confiscation of humanitarian materials by contacting the following:

1. The Border Patrol, which under the Department of Homeland Security, which can be reached at 877-227-5511
2. The Office of Foreign Assets Control, which regulates the U.S. blockade of Cuba, which can be reached at 1-800-540-6322 or ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov
3. Your House representative, who can be reached at the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121.

In your phone calls and emails demand the immediate release of all items belonging to the Pastors for Peace Caravan, which have been seized at the U.S.-Mexico border. Let them know that you stand with the Caravan members who are currently protesting at the border, that you oppose the blockade of Cuba. Take action right now!