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  • Via Workers World News Service
  • Reprinted from the March 14, 1996, issue of Workers World newspaper

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    SUPPORT CARAVAN HUNGER STRIKE!

    By Gloria La Riva and Andy McInerney

    The campaign to oppose U.S. attacks on Cuba continues at the U.S.-Mexico border in California, where activists are conducting a "fast for life."

    As of March 5, five people have been on a hunger strike for 14 days-sustained only by water with a little lemon and maple syrup. The hunger strikers-Rev. Lucius Walker, Brian Rohatyn, Lisa Valanti, Seya Sangari, and Jim Clifford-are demanding the release of 400 computers seized by the U.S. government as part of a shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba.

    The computers were donated by churches, unions, schools and others to assist Cuba's Infomed program-a regional computer network linking schools, hospitals and doctors' offices around Cuba.

    "In many ways, these computers are more important than medicine," explained Walker, who heads the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization/Pastors for Peace. He outlined how the computers would help rural hospitals obtain up-to-date information on green medicine, help medical students study, and help conduct an inventory of the country's medicine supply.

    "The computers are life-saving. That's why we're on this fast for life," Walker said.

    The hunger strike has become a focus for Cuba solidarity work, especially since the Feb. 24 provocation by the counter-revolutionary outfit "Brothers to the Rescue." Activists in several other cities have planned fasts in solidarity with the Fast for Life. In addition, organizers from Pastors for Peace announced demonstrations to take place in 30 cities on March 6, demanding the release of the computers and an end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

    In particular, demonstrators will oppose the Helms-Burton bill, which would tighten the blockade by penalizing Cuba's foreign trading partners. After Cuba shot down the "Brothers to the Rescue" provocateurs, President Bill Clinton indicated that he would sign the bill.

    The fasters have set up a tent encampment about 100 yards from the Mexican border near San Ysidro, which they call the "Wayside Chapel of Peace and Friendship." On March 2, about 60 people held a vigil there supporting the fasters.

    The right-wing terrorist group Alpha 66 had threatened to disrupt the vigil; only 12 showed up. The ultra-rightists blared the U.S. national anthem from their radio, clearly showing their loyalties to Washington and not to the Cuban people.

    Workers World spoke to faster Jim Clifford about his participation. "Being on this fast is my way to contribute to the wonderful movement in solidarity with Cuba. Never more clearly do I see the need to take action than now, with the government's saber-rattling against Cuba. It seems like we're back in the Cold War," Clifford said.

    The hunger strikers have vowed to continue their fast until the U.S. government releases the 400 computers. They are asking for volunteers who can go to San Diego to work with them. For more information, call Pastors for Peace at (619) 291-6948.

    [Gloria La Riva is Workers World Party's 1996 vice-presidential candidate and a long-time Cuba solidarity

    activist. She has visited the hunger strikers and is active in the campaign to release the seized computers.]

    (Copyright Workers World Service: Permission to reprint granted if source is cited. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: ww@wwpublish.com. For subscription info send message to: ww-info@wwpublish.com. Web: http://www.workers.org)