URGENT - ACT NOW!

On Wednesday, April 30, SENATE Bill number S. 950 The Freedom To Travel to Cuba Act, 2003 was introduced to the Senate - [by Senator Michael Enzi, (R-WY) along with fellow co-sponsors, Republicans Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Larry Craig of Idaho, and Democrats Max Baucus of Montana, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Tim Johnson of South Dakota.] (Draft attached in PDF format)

S.950 is a bill every American citizen can be proud to support, irrespective of their feelings about Cuba, because S. 950 is not a policy statement about US-Cuba relations, rather, it is about our fundamental rights as American citizens and safeguarding our own basic freedoms. The freedom of movement, association, firsthand information gathering, and intercultural exchanges are essential civil rights that affect us all. S.950 shields our individual choices from government abuse, and protects and secures a civil right deeply ingrained in the American psyche, our freedom to travel, as an inalienable human right we respect and cherish in the US.

Passage of S. 950 FREEDOM TO TRAVEL TO CUBA ACT 2003 is imperative if we want to have our basic constitutional rights preserved and defended. S. 950 allows us, as free citizens, the opportunity to judge for ourselves what we see and experience. That is the foundation of any healthy democracy. It is not the role of our government to ban us from experiencing the world and its people. We appreciate warnings that call attention to potential dangers that may exist in certain countries but to ban our travel anywhere, including Cuba, limits our freedom as US citizens. Our forefathers warned us, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." The GREAT news is, a showdown over travel is at hand, and WE CAN WIN THIS! The bad news is, this bill will not pass by itself. Sadly, there are many people in positions of power and influence who have lost touch with the central democratic aspirations of our nation: "Of the people, for the people, and BY the people." We, everyday, ordinary people, are up to bat. The ball is in our court, and the 'court' of public opinion has ruled in our favor. All we have to do is make the goal. Let's show some teamwork and win this! A House version of the bill is expected directly, so we need to line up our Congress people to cosponsor that. Thanks in advance, for all your efforts on our mutual behalf! Squeaky wheels, UNITE!

URGENT - ACT NOW! SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

* CALL, WRITE, FAX and/or VISIT your Senators! Contact BOTH local district AND DC offices. Tell them that you support this bill, ask them to: "SUPPORT SENATE BILL S.950 FREEDOM TO TRAVEL TO CUBA ACT 2003" AND, ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor. (SEE BELOW FOOTER FOR SAMPLE LETTER.)

ALSO:

* MAKE a petition, collect signatures with addresses from everyone who supports freedom to travel, irrelevant of their interest in Cuba. Then deliver the petition to your senators' offices. Keep copies for a

OTHER ACTIONS:

* Call your local ACLU or NLG and hold a press conference with community leaders supporting this initiative. THIS BILL PRESERVES A FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM.

* Write letters to the local papers praising this initiative, ask local papers to write an editorial supporting this bill. They are quick to criticize Cuba's lack of rights, let them take a stand on protecting ours.

* WORK TO PASS City Council (or state) resolutions supporting this bill!

(FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND ASK THEM TO DO THE SAME!)

[REMEMBER, this is not about Cuba. It about YOUR ability to travel to Cuba!]

Let us know what ideas YOU come up with, REMEMBER -- 'End the Embargo Coffee" is a wonderful marketing tool that promotes freedom of travel! Host a community coffee and discuss the importance of universal support for this bill! Have letter prepared or petitions to sign at the vent.

Website Resources: www.lawg.org for information about your representatives

www.cubacentral.com / www.ciponline.org

PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY TIPS:

Remember: Be polite. Be specific and state what you are asking them to do. Do not accuse them. Explain that this issue is important to you as a constituent and should be important to them too. Do not threaten with your vote. Ask them for a written response regarding their position.

URGENT - ACT NOW!

(SAMPLE LETTER BELOW)

On behalf of the USCSCA executive board,
Sincerely,

Dear Senator #####,

I am writing to tell you that Senate Bill 950 The Freedom To Travel to Cuba Act, 2003 is important to me as an American Citizen. I believe it is my choice of individual free will and constitutional right to be able to travel to any place in the world I choose. My freedom to travel allows me, as a US citizen, the opportunity to judge for myself what I see and experience in my life.

It is not the role of (especially) our government to ban me from visiting any county. We appreciate warnings that call attention to potential dangers that may exist in certain countries but to ban my travel anywhere, should I decide to take that risk, limits my freedom and is an infringement on me as a US citizen.

I request you to support this bill and I further ask that you sign on as a co-sponsor to make your voice heard clearly. Please let me know your position on this Senate action.

Thank you, in advance, for supporting this most important civil rights issue.

Sincerely,

Jane/ John Doe,

111 Address Street
City, State, ZIP