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      Normalization Yes! Blockade No!
      Report Back from Cuba Solidarity Activities



      By Azza Rojbi

      Join Us!
      Introducing New Organization in Vancouver
      FRIENDS OF CUBA AGAINST THE U.S. BLOCKADE
      (FCAB-VANCOUVER)


      Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade- Vancouver, formerly the Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver, upon celebrating the historic victory of the freedom of all 5 Cuban Heroes began to reorganize themselves in a new organization to respond to new challenges in defence of Cuba’s sovereignty and against the U.S. blockade. With 10 years of experience through activities in defence of the 5 Cuban Heroes, the group decided alongside many around the world to focus their efforts on ending the cruel U.S. Blockade.

      Just as they had done to protest for the freedom of the Cuban 5, FCAB-Van has committed to protest every month in front of the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver. The group has chosen the 17th of each month as the date marking the day the Cuban 5 Heroes returned home.

      Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-Vancouver demand:
      - End the Blockade on Cuba Now!
      - Return Guantanamo to Cuba Now!
      - US Government Stop the Campaign of ‘Regime Change’ in Cuba and Immediately Stop Interfering in Cuba’s Sovereignty and Self-determination!

      For more information visit: www.vancubavsblockade.org



      Vancouver Activists Organize Picket Action and Other Activities Against U.S. Blockade of Cuba

      Although diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S. have been restored with the opening of their respective embassies, many of the U.S.’s criminal policies against Cuba are still in place for more than 50 years.

      On Thursday September 17th, 2015, the newly formed group Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-Vancouver (FCAB-Van) and Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) co-organized their first monthly protest to end the U.S. blockade in front of the U.S. Consulate. This action was also called to coincide with events taking place in Washington DC, Toronto and Montreal as part of an International period of action demanding an immediate end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

      Dozens of friends of Cuba gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver chanting loud and clear, “Lift the blockade on Cuba now,” “Cuba Si, Bloqueo No!”.

      During the protest and in between energetic rounds of picketing, participants heard from a variety of local Cuba solidarity activist. The protest also received greetings from the Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-Toronto as well as a phone greeting from FCAB-Van delegates participating in the Days of Action Against the Blockade in Washington DC organized by the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity for the Peoples.

      Forum Against Blockade

      The highly motivated and energetic participants in the picket moved across Vancouver to Joe’s Cafe for a public forum and discussion titled “Reestablishing U.S./Cuba Relations & the Necessity of Lifting the U.S. Blockade on Cuba “. The forum featured Nino Pagliccia, long time Cuba solidarity activist and editor of the new book “Cuba Solidarity in Canada”, as well as Tamara Hansen, coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba and writer of the book “Five Decades of the Cuban Revolution: The Challenges of an Unwavering Leadership.” An excerpt from the presentations of Tamara and Nino at the forum are available to read in this issue of Fire This Time.


      Fundraising for Cuba Solidarity Activities The following day, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) held a dance and a fundraiser night with live music, dancing, and delicious food! The night began with a live Latin American guitar and flute performance by El Trabador Beto Fuentes. The audience then took to the dance floor enjoying the tunes played by DJ Carlitos Tunes Tunes and DJ Don Julio.

      Proceeds from the event were shared and donated with the “Initiativa Rumbo a Cuba” campaign to bring a freezer truck and tractor to the ‘Julio Antonio Mella’ Volunteer Work Camp (CIJAM) in Caimito, Cuba and towards the Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) campaign to end the U.S. blockade on Cuba.

      Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-Vancouver (FCAB-Van) and Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) vow to continue organizing against the cruel U.S. blockade against Cuba. Join us at our second monthly protest on October 17 4pm in front of the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver!




      International Days of Actions against the U.S. Blockade in Washington DC

      Cuba solidarity activists from across the United States, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Canada gathered in Washington DC to participate in the International Days of Action against the Blockade. The days of actions took place between September 16-18 and were organized by the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity for the Peoples, IFCO - Pastors for Peace, the National Network on Cuba, the Institute for Policy Studies and the Venceremos Brigade.

      The actions started with two days of visits and meeting with members of the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the negative impact of the blockade on both Cuba and the U.S.

      The following day participants gathered for an ecumenical cultural evening celebrating the return of the Cuban 5 heroes. The evening included a musical performance by the well known Hip Hop duo Rebel Diaz.

      The celebration of the freedom of the Cuban 5 continued with the opening of a photographic exhibit dedicated to them. Several Cuban photographers contributed to the exhibit as well as North American photographer Bill Hackwell who also curated the exhibit. A delegation from the executive of Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade-Vancouver (FCAB-Van) participated in the celebration of the freedom of the Cuban 5 and the actions in Washington against the blockade.

      The final day of the actions was an all day conference titled “The U.S. blockade Against Cuba: why it’s wrong and what we must do to end it”. Conference participants heard from different local and international Cuba solidarity activists. Speakers included Canadian authors Arnold August and Stephen Kimber. The highlight of the conference was the arrival of José Ramón Cabañas, the new Cuban Ambassador to the United States. The ambassador thanked friend of Cuba for their solidarity and continuous struggle against the blockade.





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