Blockade challengers return

Raising their fists in triumph, the 42nd Venceremos Brigade travel-ban challengers marched across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ontario, into Buffalo, N.Y., in open defiance of the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

They chanted, “We are the Brigade, the Venceremos Brigade!” and “In Cuban solidarity to end the blockade.” In support of the Cuban Five, who are U.S. political prisoners, they chanted, “Free the Cuban Five! We yell it out with pride!”

As the brigade returned to the United States, Pastors for Peace travel challengers were also returning from Cuba, crossing the border from Mexico into Texas. The two groups met in Havana to honor the legacy of Rev. Lucius Walker, who led the Pastors for Peace Caravan from its founding in 1991 until his death last September.

After a two-week work and study program in Cuba, the challengers came back bursting with determination to pass on their understanding of what Cuba’s struggle means to the world’s oppressed. They reaffirmed their commitment to work for freedom for the Cuban Five, who are serving long prison terms for trying to prevent terrorist acts against Cuba by Florida-based right-wing Cuban exile organizations.

— Report and photo by Ellie Dorritie