USCSCA Report to membership on
2002 National Summit on Cuba Advocacy Day
Many of you are aware that USCSCA members from many cities participated
in the National Summit on Cuba's two days of events in Washington D.C.,
September 18-19.
There are various testimonials circulating from participants about what a
successful event it was in several important regards:
1. The participants in the National Summit held at the National Press
Club on September 18th, far outnumbered the bellicose forces organized by
the Cuban American National Foundation to try and 'neutralize' our efforts.
They shadowed our events, tried to counter our advocacy efforts with their
own visits and slick promotional propaganda campaigns, and when that failed,
even intimidate by shouting and name calling, the many hundreds of Cuban
Americans who came from all over the United States to speak in favor of the
unrestricted freedom of ALL Americans to travel to Cuba, and the end to
impediments to trade related to food and medicine.
2. A new resolve within the Cuban American community to stand up and be
count
ed and demonstrate their complexity as a community, and no longer be seen
as a monolithic block in favor of current US policy.
3. A warm reception within Congress that change is reasonable and
desirable.
USCSCA was evident, not only in the bodies of our many members, but our
corporate sponsor, Thanksgiving Coffee helped us supply over 5,000 cups of
our new 'Yolanda' package of "End the Embargo Coffee" to the
participants to keep them going during their grueling schedules
USCSCA also supplied many members of Congress with informational packets
about our collective work, and a complimentary package of coffee while they
contemplated the issues we put before them. Representative Mike Thompson,
from CA. was delighted to deliver in our name, packets and coffee to the
Congressional Cuba Working Group, to thank them for their efforts on our
behalf.
We urge local groups to follow up the work begun during these days, by
contacting your representatives and letting them know the wonderful work you
are doing within their districts to move our common cause forward. We found
people receptive, which I think represents a whole new mood, especially
after this week's trade fair in Havana, that 40+ years is enough already.
They need to know their constituents support their willingness to review and
change.
Our thanks to all of our colleagues who participated, and to the
supporting and hosting organizations which made such a wonderful event
possible.
Special thanks to Cuban American Alliance and Educational Fund, Latin
American Working Group, Americans for Humanitarian Trade, and Thanksgiving
Coffee for their contributions which made our participation such a success.
On behalf of the USCSCA executive board,
Sincerely,
Lisa Valanti
President
US-CUBA Sister Cities Association, Inc.
National Office:
320 Lowenhill Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
412-563-1519
Fax: 412-563-1945
Email: USCSCA@aol.com
Website: www.USCSCA.org
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Mission Statement
"To foster sister city relationships and understanding through
mutually beneficial exchanges between individuals, community groups,
organizations, and institutions in the United States with counterparts in
Cuba."
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NEW CONVERSATION INSPIRING PACKAGE! The Yolanda Package! Order 'END THE
EMBARGO COFFEE!' To Help Get Our Message across!
What better way to begin a dialogue about Cuba, and raise money for your
local efforts?
To order call Johanna at: jschultz@thanksgivingcoffee.com
800-462-1999 x 30
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Check out www.cubacentral.com
for up-to-date action opportunities
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