Annual caravans challenge U.S. blockade of Cuba

Cuba Solidarity Committee activists in Dallas and Houston worked hard to raise the money to buy a bus to send to the people of Cuba. WW photo: Gloria Rubac

The Pastors for Peace 21st Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba arrived in Havana on July 22. The 85 caravanistas had collected more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid as they traveled through Canada and the United States on 13 routes to more than 130 cities before gathering on the U.S./ Mexico border.

From Texas they traveled to Cuba via Mexico without asking for a U.S. government license, as a collective challenge to the U.S. blockade and travel ban and as ambassadors for a “people-to-people” foreign policy based on mutual respect. They entered Mexico on July 21 after U.S. Customs officials withheld five computers donated in Vancouver, Canada, claiming they were a possible military threat.

Participants with skills in construction, organic gardening and mural painting are working alongside Cuban counterparts for a couple of days, interchanging knowledge, skills and perspectives. All will see and learn about many aspects of Cuban life under socialism.

The caravan will attempt to re-enter the U.S. on Aug. 3.

Chanting “¡Cuba sí, bloqueo no!” an energetic and enthusiastic group of some 30 members of the 41st Venceremos Brigade marched across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Canada, to Buffalo, N.Y., on July 26, proudly declaring they had been to Cuba in defiance of the United States’ blockade and travel restrictions.

The brigadistas worked as volunteers, learning from and building relationships with Cubans. As they returned to the U.S., they were welcomed with a solidarity rally and picnic organized by the Buffalo/WNY International Action Center and the WNY Peace Center’s Latin America Solidarity Committee Task Force.

The diverse group of mostly young people was eager to share their experiences. Many of them remarked that they were most deeply impressed by the way socialism has transformed all the institutions of people’s daily lives.