National Network on Cuba announces Nov. 9 rally

The National Network on Cuba (NNOC) held its biannual meeting here on the weekend of May 19. The NNOC is the main umbrella organization in the U.S. made up of members of every major Cuba solidarity organization in the country. It meets twice a year to take up current political developments in Cuba, U.S.-Cuba relations and solidarity work carried out by its members.

National Network on Cuba (NNOC) biannual meeting on May 19. Photo: Alex Majumder

The NNOC is solidly in defense of the Cuban Revolution and is a strong opponent of the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

The meeting heard reports from several organizations carrying out work on the Cuban Five—political prisoners in the U.S. arrested for defending Cuba from U.S.-backed terrorist acts. The International as well as the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five reported about important work being done such as speaking tours on several college campuses. The New York Committee reported on the campaign of Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban Five.

Art Heizer, a lawyer from Minnesota, updated the movement on Washington’s current policy on the U.S. travel ban on Cuba. Despite a decades-long policy of prohibiting travel to Cuba, the Cuba solidarity movement continues to organize travel challenges to the island every year. Heizer explained that despite an increase in scare tactics to the solidarity movement, there has not been an escalation of penalization.

This year, the Venceremos Brigade and Pastors for Peace will once again organize travel challenges to Cuba in mid-July. The youth organization FIST—Fight Imperialism Stand Together—is also organizing a delegation to join the travel challenge to Cuba. The FIST trip will cross the border from Canada to Buffalo, N.Y., on its return July 28, along with the Venceremos Brigade. Pastors for Peace will return on July 28 at the U.S./Texas border.

The NNOC agreed upon a major event: a solidarity rally to be held in Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 9. The Cuba solidarity movement is urged to support this event because a highlight will be the presence of several family members of the Cuban Five. It will be a rare opportunity to hear directly from the families about the case of the Five.

FIST and the International Action Center, a member of the NNOC, are making plans to support this important event.