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      Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba Attracts More People to Support Cuba!


      By Azza Rojbi

      August 13, 2015 marked the 89th birthday of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution. Millions of people around the world respect and admire Fidel for his decisive and revolutionary role before, during and after the Cuban Revolution up until today. In Cuba, millions of people participated in block parties and cultural events to celebrate his birthday.

      In Vancouver, over a hundred people joined Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) on Saturday August 15th to Celebrate the life of Fidel Castro with an evening of live music, film, trivia and refreshments!

      The Vancouver event to celebrate Fidel’s birthday was one of VCSC’s monthly ‘Cuba Cultural and Film Nights’. The program began with the showing of “Looking for Fidel” a documentary by Oliver Stone interviewing Comandante Fidel Castro. Next, MC Tamara Hansen, coordinator of VCSC, introduced the first musical performance of the night, Maria Melendez, Beto Fuentes & Alfonso Marroquin who performed beautiful Latin- American classics. The audience then enjoyed another musical performance by the multi- talented musician MX Katracho.

      Following the moving music, Tamara Hansen, coordinator of VCSC spoke about the importance of Fidel’s legacy. Fidel has provided a model of the kind of revolutionary leadership that could make it possible for humanity to advance and to achieve their highest moral integrity.

      Next, participants were treated to another musical performance by Sangre Morena, a beautiful musical duo bringing Spanish- Flamenco songs to life!

      Tamara Hansen then welcomed up Rejean, singer and guitar player from Vancouver Island . Rejean soon had everyone in the audience singing along to his cover of Bob Marley’s song “Get up, Stand up”.

      The feeling of inspiration and celebration were warm in the air. Many took some time to pick up VCSC’s educational materials on Cuba, buy some raffle tickets or get to know the people sitting next to them. Soon the room broke out into the “Happy Birthday” song and participants were invited to blow out the candles on the cake to celebrate Fidel’s 89th birthday as they shouted ¡Viva Fidel!.

      Proceeds from the event were donated to 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 US blockade on Cuba.

      The following day, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba participated in the 2015 Vancouver Latin Summer Fest held at Trout Lake park. Latin Summer Fest is an annual public community event organized by Latinos in Action.

      Supporters of Cuba handed out hundreds of materials about Cuba and directed people to the VCSC booth. The booth was busy throughout the day with people stopping by to learn about the Cuban revolution and its amazing achievements and to signa a petition demanding the U.S. government to lift the blockade on Cuba.

      Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) organizes monthly events and outreach activities in Solidarity with Cuba. Through those activities VCSC has reached people in Vancouver and British Columbia who are finding out more about Cuba and learning about the gains of the Cuban revolution.

      Join us in September as we participate in the International Days of Action Against the U.S. Blockade on Cuba!

      1) Sept 17 - Picket Action to End the U.S. Blockade on Cuba!
      2) Sept 17 - Forum & Discussion – Reestablishing U.S./Cuba Relations & the Necessity of Lifting the U.S. Blockade on Cuba
      3) Sept 18 - Dance & Fundraiser Night - ¡Fiesta Cubana!

      For more information visit: www.vancubasolidarity.com





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