For Imm Rls: Occupy Border!
Humanitarian aid for Cuba denied entry to US
at Canada/US West Coast Crossing!
BC Aid Network to Cuba | http://www.bcanc.org
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) |
http://www.vancubasolidarity.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2nd 2012
Humanitarian aid for Cuba denied entry into the US!
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) |
http://www.vancubasolidarity.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2nd 2012
Humanitarian aid for Cuba denied entry into the US!
Protesters occupy lot directly in front of US border,
vowing not to leave until aid let through!
Press conference:
Monday, July 2nd
12 noon
Pacific Highway #15 truck border crossing
In the lot in front of the US customs office
Press conference:
Monday, July 2nd
12 noon
Pacific Highway #15 truck border crossing
In the lot in front of the US customs office
Surrey, BC, Canada
** Following the press conference caravanistas will attempt to
** Following the press conference caravanistas will attempt to
cross the border with the humanitarian aid
Press contacts:
Janine Solanki - Contact on Canada side - 778-881-6156
Tamara Hansen - Contact on US side - 778-882-5223
Bill Hackwell - Caravan route speaker from Oakland, US.
Press contacts:
Janine Solanki - Contact on Canada side - 778-881-6156
Tamara Hansen - Contact on US side - 778-882-5223
Bill Hackwell - Caravan route speaker from Oakland, US.
On Canada side - 415-269-7917
On Sunday July 1st, US customs stopped a truck full of
On Sunday July 1st, US customs stopped a truck full of
humanitarian aid destined for Cuba. This shipment of aid
is part of the 23rd Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, and
includes items such as medical supplies like wheelchairs,
educational supplies and sports equipment which were collected
from various cities and communities throughout British Columbia, Canada.
The truck of aid was stopped at the West Coast Peace Arch
The truck of aid was stopped at the West Coast Peace Arch
Border Crossing and diverted to the commercial Pacific Truck
Border Crossing with the excuse that the caravanistas were
transporting commercial goods and needed to purchase a bond
to enter the US. This same scenario played out at last year's
border crossing, which ended in victory for the caravan as
humanitarian aid is exempt from having to purchase a bond.
At the commercial crossing, supporters set up protests on both
At the commercial crossing, supporters set up protests on both
the US and Canadian sides of the border with Cuban flags,
banners and spirited chants of "Lift the blockade on Cuba Now!"
and "Let the Aid Through!" The truck of aid was immediately
pulled aside for secondary questioning and inspection. After over
four hours of protest during the inspection, they declared that no
aid would cross without a bond, and under no circumstances would
sporting goods be allowed entry. "Is the US really threatened by
soccer balls and used baseball gloves going to Cuba via the US?"
asked Tamara Hansen, coordinator of Vancouver Communities in
Solidarity with Cuba and caravanists, from the US side of the protest.
The truck was escorted back to the Canada side of the border.
The truck was escorted back to the Canada side of the border.
It is now parked directly in front of the US border, along with
an encampment of activists, caravanistas and supporters. They
have vowed to occupy this space, 24 hours a day, until the aid is
let through without any condition.
"This is yet another blatant example of how the Obama
"This is yet another blatant example of how the Obama
administration continues to tighten the over 50 year old criminal
blockade instead of seeking to normalize relations with Cuba." said
Bill Hackwell, caravan route speaker and organizer with the
International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban 5.
We encourage media to join the press conference and
We encourage media to join the press conference and
to reflect this pressing issue.
We Demand:
Lift the blockade on Cuba!
Let the aid through!
Occupy the border!
