U.S. Pastors for Peace Caravan entered Mexico with donations for Cuba.

by patgarcia | July 4, 2008 at 11:36 am
370 views | 20 Recommendations | 6 comments

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U.S. Pastors for Peace Caravan arrived to Cuba.

U.S. Pastors for Peace Caravan arrived to Cuba.

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Many people who really know about the great needs among the people of Cuba send aid constantly, not being necessarily part of any activist group, just people that care for others.

July 6

Members of the U.S. inter-religious group "Pastors for Peace" arrived in Cuba Sunday with 100 tons of humanitarian aid, after overcoming some impediments at the U.S.-Mexico border.

July 5th.

Members of the religious organization named Pastor for Peace will arrive today To La Habana with humanitarian help for " the people of Cuba" defying restrictions imposed by the government of President George W.Bush.

LA HABANA.- Integrantes de la organización religiosa estadounidense Pastores por la Paz llegarán hoy a La Habana con ayuda humanitaria para "el pueblo de Cuba", en desafío a las restricciones impuestas por el gobierno del Presidente George W. Bush.
The U.S. Pastors for Peace Caravan carrying aid to donate to Cuba in solidarity, entered Mexico on July 4th after facing a number of obstacles imposed by authorities.

At the Pharr International Bridge border crossing from McAllen, Texas into Tamaulipas, U.S. Homeland Security agents seized 35 computers that were part of some 150 tons of aid, including nine vehicles.

Members of the 19th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan carried out a sit-down protest at 8 a.m. (local time) and occupied one of the Customs lanes for half an hour until they were authorized to enter Mexico

The organization, which challenges the U.S. prohibitions on trade and travel to Cuba every summer, is made up of activists from the United States, Canada, Europe and Mexico.

The Pastors for Peace Caravan, as it is also known, on this occasion groups more than 100 American and European activists who will try to cross the border from McAllen, Texas, into the Mexican city of Reynosa, where they will join Mexican activists.

The Caravan, led by Rev. Lucius Walker, has toured several Canadian and US cities where they have collected some 100 tons of aid that include medical equipment and other items for the education, culture and sports sectors that will be benefit the Cuban people.

We will spend 8 days in Cuba attending cultural events, and visiting social projects such as organic farms, elderly person’s homes and health centers including the Latin American School of Medicine. We will meet and learn from Cubans at every level about the problems caused by the blockade and the ways they have creatively responded to those difficulties.
 
This year’s caravan will also host our second Hiphop Without Borders Exchange We will take many hiphop artists to participate in an international hiphop festival, as well as carrying turntables, keyboards and other musical equipment to support Cuban hiphop.
 

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Amy Judd

This is such a great idea - I'm glad they were finally able to get in.

politisite
politisite
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:43 on July 4th, 2008

patgarcia, I like this story. It's good stuff. Now if the pastors would bring back cuban cigars and sell them... they could raise money to do this over and over. LOL  I think we demonize the people when it is the government that we have problems with.  Like Iran, The people love us, it is the Leaderhip that is the problem

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patgarcia

Amy and Politisite,

Thanks for the flag and comments! It's not a bad idea about the cigars.

Karen Hatter
Karen Hatter
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:59 on July 5th, 2008

Patgarcia, I like this story. It's good stuff.

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patgarcia

Thanks Karen!

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betonomiteben

My wife, Dana Lubow, a librarian, is on the Pastors for Peace Caravan this year driving a bookmobile to be be donated to the Province of Granma.  We also are donating 2 tons of books to various institutions in Cuba.  I have tried to find out information about the "detained"computers, to no avail.  I have emailed my congress persons and federal representative as well as called the Border Patrol in Laredo, TX 956-523-7353, and the Port of Entry in Hidalgo, TX 956-843-5700.  No on has been able to tell me any information about why the computers were "detained" to use their words, not confiscated, what the case number is for this confiscation, and what law they are using for not telling me.  Any support with calls to TX and your representatives would help bring this matter to light.   Best Regards, Betonomiteben

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