FIST youth plan travel challenge to Cuba

Activists from the youth organization known as FIST—Fight Imperialism, Stand Together—plan to travel to Cuba this summer. The trip will coincide with the dates of both the Venceremos Brigade and the IFCO/Pastors for Peace annual travel challenges to Cuba. FIST activists intend to cross the U.S. border at the end of the trip together with these groups to protest the illegal U.S. blockade of Cuba.

Members of FIST are planning this trip to show solidarity with the Cuban people, who have suffered under the brutal U.S. blockade for almost 50 years. FIST is also traveling to Cuba to show support for the Cuban Five, political prisoners who continue to languish in U.S. jails for defending their country against U.S.-sponsored terrorists.

In addition, FIST organizers envision the trip as an opportunity for young people to learn about how socialism functions in a revolutionary society. No country provides a better example of this than Cuba.

FIST is planning meetings with Cuban Communist Party leaders, and especially leaders of Cuba’s Young Communist League. The FIST delegation will visit universities and work places to learn about young people’s special role in building Cuba’s Revolution. Other events are also being planned: for example, a trip to the memorial to Ernesto “Che” Guevera located in the province of Villa Clara, and visits with Cuban hip-hop artists to learn about the role of revolutionary art in Cuba.

Many aspects of the trip are still being planned, but the visit will undoubtedly offer young activists from the United States an historic opportunity to meet with and learn from young socialist leaders in Cuba who are leading the way toward their country’s socialist future.

FIST is still taking applications from young activists who are interested in joining the delegation. The delegation will leave July19 and return July 28.

To learn more about how you can join the FIST delegation, or about how you can sponsor a young member of the delegation, call 212-627-2994.

Fry is a leader of the youth group FIST—Fight Imperialism, Stand Together.