Havana, Jul 22 (Prensa Latina) The 23 edition of the Pastors for Peace Caravan arrived in Cuba after covering 100 cities in the United States, which collected hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid. Upon arrival at Jose Marti International Airport in this capital, the 45 caravan expressed their love for the Cuban people and the commitment to continue the effort to end the blockade imposed by the U.S. government for over 50 years.
Citizens of the United States, Mexico and Canada make up this group who brings to the island donations for sectors such as health and education, two of the hardest hit by Washington's policy against Cuba.
Under the choir "Lucius lives, the struggle continues!" members of the movement recalled the Rev. Lucius Walker, founder of the initiative started 20 years ago, and through which they reached the Caribbean country with tons of food, equipment, medicine and vehicles.
The Rev. Luis Barrios, one of the co-directors of Peastors for Peace, told Prensa Latina that beyond bringing material aid to Cuba,the most important thing for the caravan is the outreach to the American people.
Gail Walker, daugther of the initiator of the movement, recalled that at the beginning of the caravan, the U.S. border with Canada, the group had to camp out in protest at the authorities' attempt to block the convoy with humanitarian aid for Cuba.
I am proud of those people, who stood firm and got permission to pass, because that represents the 20 years that we have been committed to continue to defy the unjust policies of our government, she said.
During their stay in Cuba, the activists will attend several workshops on topics such as updating the economic model and the importance of sustainable development, according to the agenda until July 31.
They also will tour historic and cultural centers, as well as the provinces of Matanzas, in the west, and central Villa Clara and Sancti Spiritus.
