Support
the Caravan to Cuba!
US Denies Humanitarian Aid for Cuba
at the Pacific Truck
Crossing
US DENIES HUMANITARIAN AID FOR CUBA AT THE
PACIFIC TRUCK CROSSING!
URGENT APPEAL FOR SUPPORT AT THE CANADA/US BORDER!
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO LET THE AID THROUGH! 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 cross the border with the humanitarian aid
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 PeaceCaravan 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 for the people of Cuba.
The truck of aid was initially stopped at the West Coast
The truck of aid was initially stopped at the West Coast
Peace Arch Border Crossing and then 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 and the
pressure from overwhelming protests on both sides of the
border. More recently, only two days ago, another route of
the caravan successfully took aid across the
Quebec/Vermont border crossing without having to deal
with any talk of bonds! So why now? This is just another
example of the arbitrary enforcement of the cruel US
policy towards Cuba and its supporters.
Forced to take the commercial crossing, supporters set up
Forced to take 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 a new condition that under no
circumstances would sports equipment be allowed entry.
Is the US really threatened by soccer balls and used baseball
gloves going to Cuba via the US?
The truck was escorted back to the Canada side of the
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. We have spent the night here already and vow
to occupy this space, 24 hours a day, until the aid is let
through without any condition.
Already this situation has garnered national and international
Already this situation has garnered national and international
media coverage across Canada, the US and Cuba and in the
last 24 hours, it has been aired on CBC News, CKNW, The
Province newspaper and NEWS1130. It has also created a
large internet and social media following, drawing attention
to the inhuman and immoral US blockade of Cuba which has
been in place for more than 50 years. We will be holding a
press conference today at 12 Noon in front of the US
Customs building at the Pacific Truck Crossing to explain to
the media the pressing issue of letting the aid through.
Caravanistas will again try to take the aid across. We are
appealing to all peace-loving and social-justice minded
people to come to the Pacific Truck Crossing today and
show your support for getting our aid to Cuba through
to the US border. The huge pressure from activists who
came out to the border last year to make noise and put
pressure on US Customs ensured the successful
crossing of the aid and we need this support again.
LIFT THE BLOCKADE ON CUBA!
LIFT THE BLOCKADE ON CUBA!
LET THE AID THROUGH!
OCCUPY THE BORDER! BC Aid Network to Cuba | www.bcanc.org
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) | www.vancubasolidarity.com
