BCANC PENTICTON
REPORT BACK
SATURDAY JUNE 18TH 2011
On Saturday, June 18th, the BC Aid Network for Cuba (BCANC) organized a day of activity in Penticton, BC, to help build the upcoming 22nd Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba and to encourage donations of humanitarian aid from different communities in the Okanagan.
The day began with a table at the Downtown Penticton Community Market. Hundreds of people filed through the downtown core to visit tables and kiosks of local food and crafts. BCANC had a tent and table with information about this year’s caravan, how to donate humanitarian aid, and the US blockade on Cuba. Many people dropped by the table and took brochures. While there were a lot of people who had visited Cuba at one time or another, there was a lot of interest in the upcoming caravan for its direct challenge to the US blockade of Cuba.
In the evening, BCANC hosted an informational night about the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba and BCANC’s campaign at the Leir House Cultural Centre. The event was opened by Aaron Mercredi, an organizer with BCANC, who spoke about the network’s recent launch and goals in helping to support not only this upcoming caravan to Cuba, but to build a consistent and ongoing network for future caravans.
Janine Solanki, caravan route coordinator in 2010, gave an overview of the history of Pastors for Peace. She then introduced the film, ‘Who is afraid of a little yellow schoolbus,’ a powerful documentary about the 1993 Caravan to Cuba in which one of the buses was seized by the US Treasury. The resilience and determination of the activists and leaders of the caravan, along with pressure from within the US and internationally, ultimately forced the US government to return the bus and allow it across the border.
Janine then explained the role that the caravan plays in raising awareness about Cuba in the United States. From the US blockade, to the travel ban on US citizens, to the critical issue of the Cuban 5, Janine pointed out that the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba engages with people in different communities throughout the US to make this an issue for them. Janine also provided a day-to-day experience for participants through a slideshow presentation of the caravan in 2010.
Discussion followed with many questions and comments about the US blockade on Cuba. While some musical instruments, construction supplies and office equipment were donated at the event, other participants were keen to get involved with the collection of humanitarian aid. A strong sense of support and solidarity was shown by people who want to keep updated about the caravan’s progress and be a part of the support group in Canada to ensure a successful challenge to the US blockade of Cuba.
This day of activity in the Okanagan was a strong first step in BCANC’s campaign to reach communities in BC and to help strengthen this year’s Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba.
