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IFCO/Pastors for Peace
An Interfaith organization to assist oppressed
peoples in their struggles for justice and self-determination.
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If you can't come to DC, you can still make a difference. Make a donation today.
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418 West 145th Street
New York, New York 10031
(ph) 212-926 5757
(f) 212-926-5842
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UPDATES
- Members of Parliament from Brazil and Sweden send letters to U.S. Congress asking to end the Blockade.
- Shelley Broderick, Dean of UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, to speak at the opening of photo exhibit.
- Solidarity organizations from the U.S. and abroad endorse the Actions Against the Blockade in Washington D.C.
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Members of Parliament from Brazil and Sweden send letter to U.S. Congress asking to end the Blockade of Cuba.
On
September 16 and 17
, as part of the Days of Action against the blockade in Washington D.C., people from around the United States and Canada will visit elected officials to raise awareness about the impact of the US blockade on the Cuban people. These visits will be part of a grassroots "alternative advocacy" calling for the end of the U.S. blockade against Cuba as well as an end to regime change programs, the closing of Guantanamo, returning it to the Cuban people and for the right to travel to Cuba without restrictions.
On July 2015 a poll from the Pew Research Center showed that as the United States and Cuba moves towards ending more than 50 years of conflict, public support for re-establishing relations with Cuba has increased from 63% in January 2015 to 73% in July 2015. Also equally broad, and growing, is the support for ending the US blockade against Cuba, from 66% in January 2015 to 72% in July 2015.
Ending the blockade is an issue supported by the majority of countries in the world. On October 28, 2014, for the twenty-third consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for the need to put an end to the economic blockade imposed unilaterally by the United States on Cuba
In another development 99 members, from twelve parties, of the Brazilian Parliament and nine members of the Parliament of Sweden from three parties, are sending letters to Congress demanding the end of the blockade of Cuba. These will be delivered to the offices of congregational representatives by the advocacy teams during the Days of Actions.
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Thursday, September 17, 6:00pm
Dean of the University of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Shelley Broderick, to Speak at the Opening of Photo Exhibit "The Cuban 5 Return: An Entire Country Celebrates"
University of the District of Columbia
David A. Clarke School of Law,
4340 Connecticut Ave, NW
5th Floor, Reception Area
A unique photographic exhibit that documents what happened when five Cuban men - unjustly jailed in American prisons for up to 16 years - were finally returned to their homeland last
December 17.
This exhibit is a compilation of 53 images that capture not only the joy of the Cuban people as they greet their returning heroes but also the deeply personal moments as the Five reconnect with their own families.
The exhibit features the images of seven of Cuba's finest photographers - Ladyrene Perez, Roberto Chile, Abel Rojas Barallobre, Ismael Francisco, Roberto Suarez, Hector Planes and Julio Alvite - as well as the photos of American social documentary photographer Bill Hackwell.
Program
- Welcoming by Shelley Broderick, Dean of UDC Law School
- Opening remarks by professor Crisarla Houston
- Rep. from the Cuban Embassy
- Stephen Kimber, Canadian professor and author "What Lies Across the Water: the Real Story of the Cuban Five
- Bill Hackwell, curator and one of the photographers of the exhibit.
Sponsored by: UDC Law School, Black Law Students Association, Global Affair and Diplomacy Association, Political Science History Organization, UDC Student Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, UDC Photography, UDC Art Student Union, Latino/a Law Students Association, IFCO/Pastors for Peace, Venceremos Brigade, Institute for Policy Studies, National Network on Cuba and the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity for the Peoples
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Other Evening Events Include...
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Wednesday September 16, 7:00pm
An Ecumenical Service and Evening of Culture
Florida Avenue
Baptist Church
623 Florida Ave NW
Featuring:
Video Message from
Rev. Raul Suarez,
Baptist Pastor and Director of the Martin Luther King Center in Cuba.
Well-known Hip Hop artist Rebel Diaz
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Friday, September 18
8:30am - 5:00pm
All Day Conference -
The U.S. Blockade Against Cuba: Why It's Wrong and What We Need To Do to End It?
Calvary Baptist Church
755 Eighth Street NW
8:30-9:00 Registration and Coffee
Donations at the door; nobody will be turned away for lack of funds
Program will start at
9:30
- Opening Plenary
- Short film showing: Blockade Against Cuba: The longest genocide in history
Workshops include
- U.S. Policy towards Cuba: What needs to change and why?
- How the Blockade Impacts Health Care in Cuba and the United States
During lunch
Film showing; Maestra with the presence of filmmaker Catherine Murphy
and a Tribute to Saul Landau by Netfa Freeman.
Workshop Continues
- The Struggle to Free Oscar Lopez Rivera and Latin America under attack
- Progressive People of Faith against the Blockade
- Report back from "alternative advocacy"
Closing Plenary: Where Do We Go From Here?
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Get on the bus to D.C.
Don't Miss the Days of Action Against the Blockade
The bus will depart for DC on
Thursday, September 17, at 11am from the IFCO office at
418 West 145th Street
Be a part of this growing solidarity movement and travel with us to DC to participate in an all day conference
The U.S. Blockade Against Cuba: Why It's Wrong and What We Need To Do To End It on September 18th.
Free housing available on a first come, first served basis
$20 contribution to cover cost of transportation
For more information on how to reserve a seat contact IFCO/Pastors for Peace at: [email protected]
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What if I Can't Make it to D.C.?
If you can't be in Washington D.C., you are encouraged to organize events in your home city from September 16 -18.
Here is how you can play an important role:
- Endorse the September Days Against the Blockade
- Call and write to your Representative and Senators
- Visit your members of Congress at their district offices. Find your Senators state office here. Find your Representatives district office here.
- Help spread the word about the D.C. activities via social media and email.
- If you were on the 2015 Caravan, organize a report-back in your community September 16-18.
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