West, Southwest activists host Cuba caravan

WW photo: Gloria Rubac

During late June, the 19th Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba rolled through the Southwestern U.S.

A celebration was held June 25 at the World Beat Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park. The San Diego Friends of Cuba raised funds to buy a bus, which they dedicated to long-time local activists Betty Fry and the late Chuck Drury. The bus, bedecked with bold slogans like “Free the Cuban Five” and “Break the U.S. Blockade of Cuba,” will carry vital supplies to Cuba.

The caravan arrived in Houston on June 28 at MECA, a Latino cultural arts center. Caravanistas were welcomed by lively music from Mariachi MECA, followed by dance and drumming by the Impilo South African Dance Group.

After a welcoming dinner, the travelers introduced themselves and discussed how the next caravan would occur during celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Four members of Houston’s Cuba Solidarity Committee pledged to go on the next trip. The Caravanistas and their hosts then loaded 100 boxes of medical aid, squeezing it into every available spare inch of the bus.

Kathy Hughart and Gloria Rubac contributed to this article.