featured announcement
Media Advisory: Humanitarian Aid Caravan to Cuba to Cross US/Mexico Border
Humanitarian Aid Caravan to Cuba to Cross US/Mexico Border Press conference and Photo opportunity with caravan school buses colorfully painted and examples of the aid to be displayed
Wednesday, July 18th @ 1pm
First Christian Church, 1400 N. 10th St., McAllen, TX Contact: Jennifer Wager 917.499.4882 , Tamara Hansen 778.882.5223 Lucia Bruno 347.423-4330/212.926.5757 Read more >
Victory At The Vancouver U.S. Border!
The Caravanistas participating the 23rd Friendshipment caravan organized by IFCO/Pastors for Peace who were held up at the border of Vancouver and Washington State are free and on their way to Cuba!!!
After a 24-hour struggle ALL the aid the Caravanistas were carrying was delivered across the Canadian border to the United States WITHOUT a license and WITHOUT the payment of a bond. Customs officials had initially insisted that a bond needed to be paid in order for the aid to be transported across the border. Last year, Caravanistas encountered the same problem but with the help of legal counsel were able to successfully argue that humanitarian aid is exempt from the bond requirement. We held our ground then and we did so again at Vancouver.
The success was due to a combination of efforts --
- a continuous spirited protest at the border by Caravanistas and supporters on both sides of the crossing,
- an incredibly organized news conference at the border attended by various news outlets during which some of the deflated basketballs and other used sports equipment were put on display for the world to see just the US government chose to target the caravan this year,
- calls from supporters and our emergency response network to their elected officials to demand the release of the sports equipment
- the creative efforts of our committed social media activists
- and of course the brilliant legal advice of our attorney Linda Backiel with additional support from many other attorneys across the country
During this encounter we were reminded of the earlier caravans. Indeed, the incident in Vancouver is reminiscent of the encounters we've had over the past 20 years where small inconsequential items are targeted by the US government. First toasters and bibles, then bicycles and computers.....now used sports equipment.
When we asked the customs officials whether they really planned to hold up our caravan because of a box of old used baseball mitts and soccer balls, the official replied "yep".
Thankfully our earnest, hardworking and dedicated supporters on either side of the Vancouver/Pacific Highway border won the day.
For twenty years IFCO/Pastors for Peace has enjoyed a strong partnership with our international partners from Europe, Canada and Mexico in fighting the US blockade of Cuba. This victory is another example of the importance of our international effort to break the blockade and is a wonderful way to kick off the 20th anniversary US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba.
We are happy to report that the Caravanistas at the border are free and on their way to Cuba,
Thank you all so much for your wonderful support!
Onward to Cuba!!
Join Us for the 20th Anniversary Caravan to Cuba!
Click on the attachment link below to download a flyer, brochure or application!
Victory at US-Canada Border for Caravan to Cuba!
Pastors for Peace Caravan West Coast Routes Defy the US Blockade! Canadian and American activists successfully transport humanitarian aid across the US/Canada border despite US border authorities’ intimidation and harassment.
Read more >
June 30 - Riverside Church, New York, NY - Memorial for Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr.
Join IFCO/Pastors for Peace as we honor our founding director and visionary leader Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr. and celebrate the launch of our 22nd Caravan to Cuba. Cultural acts include the New York Labor Chorus and Kongo. Call our office at 212-926-5757 for more information. You can also download the attached event flyer here.
US Grads of Cuban Medical School Give Volunteer Service in Haiti
Dr. Narciso Ortíz one of four 2010 graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine (LASM) is working with the Cuban medical teams in Haiti as they battle the cholera epidemic there. See inside for more information about LASM graduates working in Haiti, and the efforts to rebuild Haiti’s medical infrastructure. (photo: EFE) Read more >
Trained in Cuba, U.S. Doctors Describe Month in Haiti
by Renee Feltz, the Indypendent, March 12, 2010
After the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, Dr. Melissa Barber received a call asking her to help treat people left injured and living in squalid conditions.
“There was no question,” said Barber, 30, who was born and raised in the Bronx and worked in quality assessment at St. Barnabas Hospital in the heart of the borough. “I actually resigned and I made plans to go to Haiti for a month. That is how much it’s ingrained in me to help the underserved communities when they are in need.”
Curriculum and plan of studies
An overview of the curriculum and general plan of studies at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba Read more >
Never been on a Cuba Caravan? NOW is the Time!
See Cuba for yourself and challenge the US Blockade this July! REQUEST AN APPLICATION TODAY! Download the flyer below and share with your friends! Read more >
