July 20, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Venceremos Brigade
vbrigade@aol.com
212-560-436
VENCEREMOS BRIGADE IS ON ITS WAY! 80 BRIGADISTAS ARRIVE IN HAVANA TONIGHT, WILL CHALLENGE U.S. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON
AUGUST 4
The eighty-plus members of the 34th Contingent of the
Venceremos Brigade will arrive at Havanas Jose Marti Airport
tonight on a Cubana Airlines flight from Toronto. Brigadistas will
stay at an international camp outside Havana where
they will work side by side with the Cuban people to paint, tile and renovate
local health clinics. Since 1969, the
Venceremos Brigade has been traveling to Cuba to
assist the Cuban people in various work projects, some agricultural and some in
construction and renovation. Brigadistas will also travel to Santiago to
celebrate July 26th, Cubas
national holiday, the 50th Anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison that began the Cuban Revolution. During
their time in Cuba brigadistas will also have many opportunities to mingle
with Cuban people and learn about Cuban history and contemporary society. The Brigade has never asked for, or accepted,
a license for travel to Cuba. The Brigade challenges the right of the U.S.
government to restrict travel to Cuba and
calls for an end to the travel ban and to the economic blockade. At 8:30 AM on August 4th, the Brigade
will return on foot across the International Peace Bridge in
from Ft. Erie, Ontario, Canada to Buffalo, New
York, to announce its return from Cuba. The
Brigade will be joined by supporters on both sides of the international border.
Two months ago, the Bush Administration eliminated the second largest category
of “licensed” travel to Cuba,
affecting tens of thousands of people. “The time has come for people of
conscience to take a stand,” says Bonnie Massey, member of the National
Committee of the Venceremos Brigade. “The travel restrictions and the blockade
not only harm millions of innocent Cubans, but also are an infringement on our
rights as citizens of this country. We demand our constitutional right to
travel.” The Travel Challenge is a joint effort with Pastors for Peace whose
caravan is also in Cuba
delivering tons of material aid that it transported from the U.S.
through Mexico.
Copies of the Venceremos Brigade Cuba Travel Challenge statement are available
to the press. Members of the press are also invited to meet the Brigade as we
announce our return from Cuba on
August 4th at the International Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New
York. Interviews with local participants can
be arranged prior to our departure or upon return.
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(Updated 5/7/2004)