Cuba Caravan

Submitted by Berd on 6 July 2010 - 5:46pm

I went to Fertile Ground last night and ate pizza with the Cuba Caravanistas. The pizza was good, and so was the discussion. Brendan Funtek spoke about Cuba and his travel and other involvement with the caravan. Then Manolo de los Santos, who is the Pastors for Peace representative (he's from New York via the Dominican Republic), also spoke. Finally, Rick Fellows spoke. Rick has been running caravans since 1984 when he became involved in a dispute between Peabody Coal and members of indigenous tribes near the 4 corners area of the Southwest US. Peabody Coal runs one of the world's largest coal strip mines in the area, and since its beginning there has been constant opposition. All three were great speakers and served to illuminate upon the relationship between the US and Cuba, as well as the situation in Cuba, and the lives of the Cuban people. After the speeches we had a great question and answer discussion.

I wish the Caravanistas the best in their journey toward the Mexican border, and beyond toward their destinations in Cuba, as well as a safe return.

The following is a description some of what I know about Cuba, including much, though certainly not all, that I have learned in the last three days. It is also in part a description of the border crossing from Vancouver B.C. into Washington State this past Sunday, including a photographic essay. - Berd

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Peace Arch Park Vancouver B.C. Canada—Blaine Washington United States

Caravanistas on the Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan entered the USA on their month long journey from Salt Spring Island to Cuba. They have a bus and they are driving it to Mexico, where it will be loaded onto a ferry and shipped to Cuba and donated to a community organization in order to benefit the people of Cuba.

Both the people of the USA and the people of Cuba suffer because of the USA's wrongheaded and immoral policy of sanctions. The 50 year long embargo dates back to the revolution when Cubans overthrew the US sponsored government, and kicked out exploitative and harmful US industries from the island nation.

Since then, Cuba has undergone various transformations, including a very significant and important transformation in the early 1990s when their economy suffered a drastic reduction in imports when their primary trading partner, the Soviet Union, collapsed.

The Cuban people were forced to adapt. And adapt they did. They transformed their society so that they were able to meet the needs of everyone with a minimum of international trade.

Present day Cuban society flourishes. The presence of free education and healthcare has led to an educated and healthy society that values the importance of community partnerships and cooperation in the face of unfavorable international socio-economic and political trends. Cuba is a strong nation because the Cuban people take care of each other, and stand strong with each other smiling, even in the face of overt hostility—aggression and terrorism from the USA.

There are many examples of the irrationality of US policy toward Cuba. One is that when after Hurricane Katrina impacted New Orleans, Cuba offered to send 1,000 doctors to tend to the medical needs of the sick and injured. The USA rejected the generous offer of the Cubans.

Another example is how Cuba is a model of a peaceful and stable state, with a vibrant and sustainable relationship with the Earth. The Cuban people understand an important fundamental truth: that their personal interest is the same as the common interest. Health, dignity, fair working conditions, education all make for a strong and stable social fabric.

Another example is how the USA even has an academic embargo against Cuba, even though there have been discoveries of cures to diseases by Cuban doctors. Does that make sense?

So then, why the embargo. Why an economic blockade against a peaceful and stable state?!

In my opinion the USA could learn from Cuba many valuable lessons about living better.

more information:

Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba: vancubasolidarity.com/

Seattle Cuba Friendship Committee: www.seattlecuba.org/

IFCO Pastors for Peace: www.ifconews.org/

Now for those photos!

Pit-Stop near Mt. Vernon Washington

Peace Arch, on the US side facing Canada the arch reads: "Children of a Common Mother"

In the year 2014 the Peace Arch will celebrate 200 years. On the inside it reads: "1814 Open One Hundred Years 1914 — May These Gates Never Be Closed"

Rick Fellows Speaking about the Caravan—Rick has been involved with caravans since 1984 when he got involved with the Peabody Coal dispute over Black Mountain.

Hap, who is one of the caravanistas whom will be traveling in the 2010 delegation.

Tom Warner of Seattle, 95 and very sharp-witted, speaks while Tamara Hansen assists with loudspeaker—Tom has been working on friendship with and justice for Cuba for many decades.

The Bellingham Four

Manolo de los Santos, Pastors for Peace Caravan Leader

Samba Soleil—This group did high-energy drumming for a long time, and a lot of people joined in to dance. We danced in the Peace Arch park on the Fourth of July. Lots of smiling faces and dancing bodies.

Cargo to be Loaded—Much cargo will be shipped to Cuba in an effort to break the immoral blockade. The US has very discriminatory policies against Cuba, disallowing trade through a variety of means. Due to the economic weight of the USA, many other nations are forced to choose between Cuba and the US.

Loading the Bus (many hands make light work)

Roadside Demonstration: Lift the Blockade Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan Friendshipment Border Crossing from Vancouver Canada to USA July 4, 2010

Seen here crossing the street, there was a sizable crowd of supporters in attendance to see the bus through into the US.

With the Bus. Supporters stood by the bus, and followed it while it waited and proceeded in line.

Cuba Cuba! Waiting in solidarity at the border.

ICE Border Patrol Agents, The Caravan was subjected to a certain degree of scrutiny. The agents told the caravan leader that although they were being allowed into the US from Canada, that other agents are waiting at the Mexico/US border and there will be waiting in order to give them more trouble. Seems like threatening behavior, like intimidation. Not very professional. Not how I want representatives of my country to act.

Caravan Supporter Sporting a General Strike T-Shirt—Solidarity!

Bruce—"Welcome to the United States of America"

Ernesto, Spanish by birth, has lived for much of his life in Vancouver B.C. I liked his hat with the buttons, one button read something to the effect of: spend on housing, as opposed to spend on war.

I think it's important to understand how all the issues of injustice are interconnected. War and global warming. Sanctions against Cuba and Gaza. The oil spill in the gulf. Extinction of Species. Poverty. Oppression. Joblessness. You name it. It's all part of the same problem, with the same underlying causes. (*think commercialism, materialism, "me-firstism," ignorance, fear, distrust, misinformation, financial speculation, the dominance paradigm... the problems are big, yes. so it's important to remember and keep the faith, another world is possible.)

Group Photo