NNOC Final Declaration: Fall 2018 Meeting Minneapolis, MN

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 28, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on NNOC Final Declaration: Fall 2018 Meeting Minneapolis, MN

The National Network on Cuba Annual Fall meeting took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 20-21, 2018. During two days of discussions, presentations and reports, members shared their solidarity work since October 2017 and offered strategies for the upcoming year.

Unfortunately due to the visa processing difficulties imposed by the Trump administration that since coming to power has increased its hostility towards the island nation, representatives of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) were unable to attend. Participants heard a pre-recorded message from Sandra Ramirez Rodriguez, from the ICAP North America Division. Miguel Fraga, first Secretary of the Cuban Embassy was present and participated during both days of the meeting.

Later this month, at the United Nations, the entire world once again will demand the end of the immoral and unjust US blockade against Cuba that has caused so much unnecessary suffering to the Cuban people. And once again the United States will be isolated in its failed policy toward the island nation.

The Trump administration has reversed many of the changes made by Obama, and today under the pretext of unfounded sonic attacks against US diplomats in Havana, the ability for Cubans to travel to the U.S. has been drastically limited. Among other reasons, we gathered at this conference to encourage people to travel to Cuba to see for themselves what blockaded Cuba has been able to achieve. We salute the many NNOC member organizations that are organizing trips to Cuba in the next few months.

Many from the solidarity movement had the unique opportunity to recently see and hear the new President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in New York, and all of those present felt energized to see in compañero Diaz-Canel the unquestionable continuation of the Cuban Revolution.

We are proud to stand in solidarity with Cuba and want to thank Cuba for being an example of international solidarity, for building a society where human beings are the priority instead of profits. We want to thank Cuba for granting scholarships to US students to become doctors and return to their communities to practice medicine in a more humane manner.

We, National Network on Cuba’s member organizations meeting in Minneapolis during these two days, are proud to renew our commitment to continue raising awareness about the impact of US policy towards Cuba. We also renew our commitment to defend Cuba’s sovereignty and self-determination.

All member organizations firmly agree to the following demands of the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress:

1. End the economic, financial and commercial blockade against the Cuban people.
2. End the travel ban so people from the U.S. can travel freely to Cuba as they travel to any other country of the world.
3. Denounce and condemn the aggressive rhetoric towards Cuba from the Trump administration that has ignored the majority of the people in the US who have stated loud and clear that they want to have fraternal and normal relations with Cuba.
4. Demand the Trump administration close the Guantanamo prison and return the illegally occupied territory to its legitimate owner; the Cuban People.
5. Immediately halt funding of Radio and TV Marti.
6. Reject all threats of “regime change” anywhere in the world.
   We take this opportunity to congratulate the Cuban people who on January 1st, 2019 will celebrate the 60 anniversary of the glorious Cuban Revolution.

   Viva la Revolución Cubana
   Vivan Fidel y Raúl
   Viva Miguel Diaz Canel
   Long live international solidarity. Let us build bridges not walls!

   National Network on Cuba

   October 21, 2018

____________________________________________________________________

La reunión anual de la Red Nacional de solidaridad con Cuba en Estados Unidos, se llevó a cabo en Minneapolis, Minnesota, los días 20 y 21 de octubre de 2018. Durante dos días de discusiones, presentaciones e informes, los miembros compartieron su trabajo solidario desde la última reunión anual, en octubre de 2017 y ofrecieron estrategias para el próximo año.

Desafortunadamente, debido a las dificultades en el trámite de visas impuestas por la administración Trump, que desde su llegada al poder ha incrementado su hostilidad hacia Cuba, representantes del Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP) no pudieron asistir. Los participantes escucharon un mensaje pregrabado de Sandra Ramírez Rodríguez, de la División Norteamericana del ICAP. Miguel Fraga, primer Secretario de la Embajada de Cuba en Washington DC, estuvo presente y participó durante los dos días de reunión.

A finales de este mes, en las Naciones Unidas, el mundo entero exigirá una vez más el fin del inmoral e injusto bloqueo norteamericano contra Cuba, que ha causado tanto sufrimiento innecesario al pueblo cubano. Y una vez más, Estados Unidos quedará aislado en su fallida política hacia la nación isleña.

La administración Trump ha revertido muchos de los cambios hechos por Obama, y hoy bajo el pretexto de infundados ataques sónicos contra diplomáticos estadounidenses en La Habana, la posibilidad de que los cubanos puedan  viajar a Estados Unidos ha sido drásticamente limitada. Entre otras razones, nos reunimos en esta conferencia para alentar a la gente para que viajen a Cuba y ver por sí mismos lo que Cuba bloqueada ha sido capaz de lograr. Saludamos a las muchas organizaciones miembros de la Red  NNOC que están organizando viajes a Cuba en los próximos meses.

Muchos de los que integran el movimiento de solidaridad con Cuba tuvieron la oportunidad única de ver y escuchar recientemente al nuevo Presidente de Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez en Nueva York, y se llenaron de energía al ver en el compañero Díaz-Canel la incuestionable continuación de la Revolución Cubana.

Estamos orgullosos de ser solidarios con Cuba y queremos agradecer a Cuba por ser un ejemplo de solidaridad internacional, por construir una sociedad en la que los seres humanos son prioridad. Queremos agradecer a Cuba por otorgar becas a estudiantes estadounidenses para recibirse de médicos y poder regresar a sus comunidades para ejercer la medicina de una manera más humana.

Nosotros, integrantes de la Red Nacional, reunidos en Minneapolis durante estos dos días, estamos orgullosos de renovar nuestro compromiso de continuar creando conciencia en el pueblo estadunidense sobre el impacto de la política de Estados Unidos hacia Cuba. También renovamos nuestro compromiso de defender la soberanía y la libre determinación de Cuba.

Todas las organizaciones miembros aquí presentes están firmemente de acuerdo con las siguientes demandas para la Administración Trump y el Congreso de los Estados Unidos:

1. Poner fin al bloqueo económico, financiero y comercial contra el pueblo cubano.
2. Poner fin a la prohibición de viajar para que la gente en este país pueda viajar libremente a Cuba como lo hace a cualquier otro país del mundo.
3. Denunciar y condenar la retórica agresiva hacia Cuba por parte de la administración Trump, que ha ignorado a la mayoría de los pueblos de los Estados Unidos que ha declarado en voz alta y clara que quiere tener relaciones fraternas y normales con Cuba.
4. Exigir al gobierno de Trump que cierre la prisión de Guantánamo y devuelva el territorio ilegalmente ocupado a su legítimo dueño, el pueblo cubano.
5. Detener inmediatamente la financiación de Radio y TV Martí.
6. Rechazar todas las amenazas de “cambio de régimen” en cualquier parte del mundo.
   Aprovechamos esta oportunidad para felicitar al pueblo cubano que el 1 de enero de 2019 celebrará el 60 aniversario de la gloriosa Revolución Cubana.

   ¡Viva la Revolución Cubana!
   ¡Vivan Fidel y Raúl!
   ¡Viva Miguel Diaz Canel!

   ¡Viva la solidaridad internacional. ¡Construyamos puentes, no muros!

   Red Nacional de Solidaridad con Cuba (NNOC)

   21 de octubre, 2018

Extraterritorial nature of the blockade has an impact on Cuba’s banking and financial relations with third countries

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 18, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on Extraterritorial nature of the blockade has an impact on Cuba’s banking and financial relations with third countries

REPUBLIC OF CUBA
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
315 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016

Press release
Extraterritorial nature of the blockade has an impact on Cuba’s banking and financial relations with third countries

 New York, October 18, 2018. From the second semester of 2017, the blockade has had a negative and unprecedented impact on the Caribbean nation, especially on the banking and financial area. Although the enactment of the Helms-Burton Act and the extraterritorial nature of the blockade determined the creation of “antidote legislation” designed by third countries to protect themselves against possible damages caused by the implementation of this policy, the intimidating effect of the blockade against Cuba has prevented these regulations from being properly implemented.

There are several recent examples of commercial operations of Cuba with companies from third countries, whose implementation has been hampered or prevented by US government’s prohibitions, threats and blackmail:

On June 29, 2017, the branch of Stanbic Bank in Zimbabwe (part of the Standard Bank Group, based in South Africa) announced the closure of the accounts of the Cuban Embassy in that country and the end of any transactions related to Cuba, following instructions from its correspondent banks Deutsche Bank (Germany) and UniCredit Bank (Italy), for reasons related to the US blockade against Cuba.

On July 20, 2017, a branch of BNP PARIBAS FORTIS S.A. bank in Belgium refused to issue a bank guarantee certifying normal commercial activity and the absence of debts, in favor of the Belgian company R.I.P.I. SPRL, because it would be used for commercial activities in Cuba.
In November 2017, the OFAC levied a fine of 204,277 dollars on the financial firm American Express Company (Amex) for violating the laws of the blockade against Cuba. This sanction was imposed because the Belgian company BCC Corporate S.A. (BCCC), a subsidiary of Alpha Card Group, which has 50 percent ownership by Amex, issued credit cards to customers in Europe, that were used to make purchases in Cuba.

On February 6, 2018, the US Company Stripe canceled the accounts of all its clients that had ties with Cuba, due to new measures adopted by the US government against our country.

On February 13, 2018, the New Zealand bank ASB rejected a transfer from a citizen of that country to a travel agency, for using the word Cuba in the transaction reference.

On February 13, 2018, the) Qatari bank International Bank of Qatar (IBQ refused to make a transfer from a Cuban citizen residing in that country for reasons related to the US blockade against Cuba.

On March 9, 2018, the Jamaican bank First Caribbean International Bank, a branch in Jamaica of the Canadian bank Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, set up road blocks to the installation of the credit and debit card payment system required by the Embassy of Cuban fearing of being sanctioned for violating the regulations of the blockade.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations

The United States orchestrates unprecedented provocation against Cuba in the United Nations

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 17, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on The United States orchestrates unprecedented provocation against Cuba in the United Nations

The United States orchestrates unprecedented provocation against Cuba in the United Nations

This afternoon, the U.S. government called a press conference to slander Cuba in the UN’s Economic and Social Council hall. As the meeting concluded, a teleSUR correspondent stated, “This is the environment. The meeting is over. The hall almost empty. Very few of those invited by the U.S.”

Author: Digital news staff | informacion@granma.cu

october 16, 2018 14:10:05

Why is the United States taking this step?

The United States intends to defend, by any means, its unilateral policy of economic blockade, which is the object of universal condemnation, and violates international law.

The U.S. government knows that this conduct is not supported by the U.S. population, or by Cubans residing there.
They fabricate unfounded accusations, issuing defamatory statements regarding the safety of diplomats in Cuba.

Far from dialoguing on the basis of respect, as Cuba has done to promote cooperation, as it does with other countries, the U.S. government resorts to fraudulent accusations and slander campaigns.

The U.S. government allocates millions of dollars every year to attack Cuba’s constitutional order, interfere in internal affairs, and finance individuals who act as agents of a foreign power, which is illegal in Cuba, as it is in the United States and other countries.

“Cuba is a country of peace, that conducts foreign relations based on respect and cooperation, that has a long track record of recognized solidarity and friendship, particularly with developing countries,” he said, “It is the U.S. policy toward Cuba that is isolated.”

He recalled that this coming October 31, the UN General Assembly will once again vote for an end to the blockade, “The United Sates government and its State Department should pay attention to this universal demand.”

Cuba reacts to the provocation

Given the situation, her Excellency Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, Cuban ambassador and permanent representative before the UN, sent a letter of protest to UN General Secretary

António Guterres, reminding him of norms related to the use of conference halls which clearly establish that only events in consonance with UN policies and principles may be held in these areas, and that their relevance to UN work must be presented.

She formally requested that the event planned by the United States in UN facilities be cancelled, and that an internal investigation be conducted to determine how this violation of policy was permitted.

Rodríguez continued in her letter, stating, “This, like so many other actions, is part of Washington’s desperate escalation against Havana to justify its genocidal policy of almost 60 years, which constitutes the principal obstacle to development in Cuba and is a flagrant violation of the human rights of Cubans.”

The issue of human rights has been manipulated many time by the United sates to attack Cuba, but this provocation is of particular concern since it is taking place in UN facilities, shortly before the General Assembly vote to end the U.S. blockade of Cuba that has consistently won overwhelming support.

3:05 pm Meeting ends  As the meeting concluded, the teleSUR correspondent stated, “This is the environment. The meeting is over. The hall almost empty. Very few of those invited by the U.S.”

2:45 pm Cuba Sí, Bloqueo No, (Cuba yes, blockade, no) is the demand of #Cuba representatives at the anti-Cuban event in the UN Economic and Social Councilhall, being held in violation of UN prodedures, according the the Cuban Ministry on Twitter.

2:10 pm Cuban Ambassador Anayansi Rodriguez requests to speak and is denied the floor by organizers.

The UN webcast does not broadcast the face of Cuba’s representative. UN Security removes those opposing the U.S. campaign against Cuba from the hall. More protests are heard.

1:45 pm Almagro joins U.S. spokesperson

Ambassador Kelley E. Currie, who appears to be stepping in to take on the role of toughie played by Nikki Haley as U.S. rep in the UN, calls on countries to join the U.S. in its attacks on Cuba using an old pretext, that Cuba does not share its vision of human rights.

Almagro, taking the floor, insults Cuba referring to Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro in disrespectful terms, and ignoring Cuba’s accomplishments in terms of human rights.

In the back of the room filled with U.S. lies, the condemnations of the Cuban delegation can be heard, demanding respect for our nation and the truth.

1:15 pm

Ambassador Kelley E. Currie, U.S. representative before the UN Economic and Social Council, will present the central argument attacking Cuba, alleging the existence of 130 political prisoners in the island.

1:00 pm

The United States is about to begin its press conference to accuse Cuba of human rights violations.

Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, denounces new anti-Cuban action

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 17, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, denounces new anti-Cuban action

Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, denounces new anti-Cuban action

This Tuesday, the U.S. used the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber of the United Nations to attack Cuba, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter

TODAY, Tuesday 16 October, 2018, the United States of America has once again sullied the name of the United Nations.

The United States, in another action of contempt for human rights and this Organization, has preferred to create absurd lies about Cuba rather than recognize and promote a campaign to redress its multiple human rights violations, both in its territory and in the rest of the world.

With this action, which included the use of the ECOSOC Chamber and the United Nations WebCast, the name and emblem of the Organization was used in an act against a Member State, on the pretense of international support for its fallacious campaign. All of this contravenes the principles and purposes of the Charter.

It is clear the intention of the United States Government to sustain, with all available resources and without the slightest moral objection, the unilateral policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba and universally repudiated by the United Nations General Assembly for its criminal and genocidal nature, and therefore, in violation of international law.

This event is a new chapter in the long list of aggressions against Cuba. It is part of the actions aimed at subverting the legitimately established constitutional order and of the interventionist agenda that has gained renewed momentum under the current Administration, whose fascist, racist and xenophobic ideas are a matter of grave concern in the international community.

Cuba has warned about and denounced this situation by means of a letter of protest to the Secretary-General, requesting the cancellation of this farce of the United States Government within the United Nations premises. We are supported on the Charter of the United Nations and the existing rules concerning the use of conference rooms, approved by this Organization.

The event, as we had foreseen, was a political comedy staged on false arguments and with supporting actors of a dark history at the service of a foreign power, many of them paid by Washington, including the Secretary-General of the puppet Organization of American States.

The sponsors of the alleged campaign were not willing to listen to Cuba’s truth. They even tried to prevent Cuban diplomatic officials from entering the room. What happened is the total and absolute responsibility of the United States.

Cuba’s voice was heard despite everything. They could not give us valid arguments, they did not have them. The truth is on our side.

Cuba is proud of its human rights record, which denies any manipulation against it. The United States lacks the morals to give lessons, and much less in this matter. That country, with its poor adherence to international human rights instruments, has a pattern of systematic violations of all human rights, including the use of torture, detention and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, as is the case of the Guantánamo Naval Base, an illegally occupied Cuban territory; the murder of African-Americans by police officers; the death of innocent civilians by their intervention and occupation forces; xenophobia and repression; the imprisonment of immigrants, including children who are separated from their families. The latter, the imprisonment of children, would have rightly justified the name “Jailed for What?.

Cuba condemns and rejects in the strongest possible terms this new anti-Cuban action by the United States Government, which constitutes an affront to the sovereignty of the Cuban people and disrespect for their self-determination. This is an attack not only on a sovereign State, but also on the principles of multilateralism and the foundational bases of the United Nations.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations

US Government Admits It’s Making Fake Social Media Accounts to Spread Propaganda in Cuba

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 17, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on US Government Admits It’s Making Fake Social Media Accounts to Spread Propaganda in Cuba

Cuba denounces escalation in U.S. hostile rhetoric

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 15, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on Cuba denounces escalation in U.S. hostile rhetoric

Cuba denounces escalation in U.S. hostile rhetoric

NNOC 2018 Fall Meeting Agenda

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 15, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on NNOC 2018 Fall Meeting Agenda

NNOC 2018 Fall Meeting Agenda Dear NNOC Friends Please see the agenda below for the NNOC fall meeting taking place from October 19-21,2018 in Minneapolis. While the co-chairs and the Minneapolis Committee are still working on the details we do not expect significant modifications. Fall Meeting Agenda National Network on Cuba October 19 – 21, 2018 Augsburg University Friday, October 19, 2018 7 – 10 pm – Opening Reception and Early Registration Hagfors Hall Room 150 700 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis Welcome by representatives of Augsburg University, Minnesota Cuba Committee and National Network on Cuba Remarks by Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy Saturday, October 20, 2018 Hagfors Hall Room 150 700 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis 8:30am – Registration ($35 – $50 sliding scale) 9:30am – Welcome, Introductions and Agenda Review 9:45am – New Member Elections: Co-Chair/treasurer elections 10:00am – Video message from Sandra Ramirez, Director of the North American Division of ICAP 10: 45am – Opening Presentation: Organizing for the 50th Anniversary of the Venceremos  Brigade: How the Cuba solidarity movement can help Moderator: Cheryl La Bash 11:15am – Break 11:30am – City Council Resolutions to End the Blockade: Moderator: Alicia Jrapko 12:15pm – Break for Lunch (To participate in the Technology and Communications brainstorming at lunch see Cheryl LaBash/Peter Miller for more info) 1:30pm – Report from the Embassy – Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy 2:30pm – Dialog on Race: Moderator: Banbose Shango 3:30pm – NNOC Proposal for Spring 2019 National Conference on Cuba 4:00pm – Member reports 7-10pm – An Evening of Music and Dance in Solidarity with Cuba Hoversten Chapel (inside Foss Center) 623 22nd Avenue South, Minneapolis Moderator: Professor August Nimtz, Minnesota Cuba Committee Presentation by Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy Special Award to Felino de la Peña Light Refreshments and Cash Bar Sunday, October 21 Hagfors Hall Room 150 700 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis 9:30pm – Business Meeting Reconvenes Upcoming Projects/Events: October 2018 – UN Vote Activities – International Solidarity Committees November 2018 – Pastors for Peace Caravan December 2018 – African Awareness Delegation Winter 2018 delegation – Witness for Peace May Day Brigade 2019 – ICAP/NNOC Moderator: Nalda Vigezzi 10:30am – Member reports continue 12:30 – Break 12:45pm – Final Remarks from Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy 1:15pm – Closing Conference Declaration 2:00pm – Adjourn

Cuba condemns and rejects anti-Cuban event promoted by the United States at the United Nations

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 14, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on Cuba condemns and rejects anti-Cuban event promoted by the United States at the United Nations

Press Release

Cuba condemns and rejects in the strongest possible terms an anti-Cuban event promoted by the United States at the United Nations headquarter.

New York, 14 October 2018. The U.S. Department of State issued a press release on 12 October, informing of the Government’s intention to use the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber of the United Nations to hold an event aimed at launching a Campaign called “Jailed for What?” against Cuba on Tuesday, 16 October 2018.

This action at the ECOSOC Chamber, a Major Organ of the Organization, seeks to tarnish the name of the United Nations in an act against a Member State, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the Charter.

The very nature of the press release distributed by the Department of State clearly shows the objectives pursued with this event, by announcing the start of an insulting and fallacious campaign against Cuba.

The event constitutes a political farce of the worst taste, staged on false arguments and with supporting actors, some of Cuban origin, who with a dark history at the service of a foreign power, join the escalation of anti-Cuban actions by the current U.S. Administration, engaged in justifying the genocidal policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island. This policy constitutes the main obstacle to Cuba’s development and a flagrant violation of the human rights of its people. It would be therefore worthwhile for the United States Government to transform its ignominy campaign into sincere forgiveness and reparation to the Cuban people for the damages caused by the 56 years of the application of the blockade.

In view of these events, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, H.E. Mrs. Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, has sent a letter of protest dated 13 October to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, and to other senior officials of the Secretariat. In the said letter, she recalls that the rules concerning the use of conference rooms clearly set out the holding of events that are solely in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations and further justified by their relevance to the work of the Organization.

The Ambassador’s letter states that the aforementioned event flagrantly violates the above rules and the Charter of the United Nations, and therefore has Cuba’s total rejection. Consequently, it “calls for the cancellation of the event planned by the United States within the perimeter of the United Nations premises and for an internal investigation to be conducted in order to determine accountability for the said violations”.

Cuba prides itself on its human rights record, which denies any manipulation against it. The United States lack the morals to give lessons, and much less in this matter. That country, with poor adherence to international human rights instruments, has a pattern of systematic violations of all human rights, including the use of torture, detention and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, as is the case of the Guantánamo Naval Base, an illegally occupied Cuban territory; the murder of African-Americans by police officers; the death of innocent civilians by their intervention and occupation forces; xenophobia and repression and the imprisonment of immigrants, including children separated from their families.

Cuba condemns and rejects in the strongest possible terms this new anti-Cuban action by the United States Government and hopes that the Secretariat will enforce the established rules, will act in accordance with the UN Charter and consequently, will cancel the holding of this event in the premises of the Organization.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.

NNOC Report of “Cuba Speaks for Itself” Event

Posted by NNOC Admin on Oct 2, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on NNOC Report of “Cuba Speaks for Itself” Event

Immensely Successful Cuban Solidarity Event in New York City for the President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and the Cuban delegation to the United Nations

President Nicolas Maduro, of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela joined President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of the Republic of Cuba at “Cuba Speaks for Itself” at Riverside Church in Harlem.

The “Cuba Speaks for Itself” Welcome hosted by the September 26 Welcome Committee, was made up of many groups including: Black Panthers Commemoration Committee; Campaign to Bring Mumia Home; Casa de Las Americas; Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism;  Communist Workers League; Cuba in Focus; Cuba Si Coalition; Cuba Solidarity New Jersey; December 12 Movement; Fuerza de la Revolucion; IFCO/Pastors for Peace; Informacion al Desnudo; International Action Center; July 26^th Coalition; Malcolm X Commemorative Committee; Ministerio de Soliaridad con los Pueblos; Iglesia Santa Cruz; Holy Road; National Alumni Association of the Black Panthers Party; National Jericho Movement; National Network on Cuba; New York City Cuba Solidarity Project; New York Cuba Solidarity; Pathfinder Press; People’s Organization for Progress; Pro Libertad Freedom Campaign; Sisters Place; Socialist Workers Party; Universal Zulu Nation, Department of Community Affairs; Venceremos Brigade; Workers World Party.

On Wednesday September 26, the Riverside Church which opened its doors in 1930 and has a seating capacity of 2,100 exceeded this capacity and about 200-250 people were unable to attend.

In the build up to this program, ICAP’s Sandra Ramirez Rodriquez and IFCO’s Gail Walker championed the on-the-ground work, with a lot of love and support from the members of the September 26 Welcoming Committee and other Cuba solidarity workers.

Only minor problems and issues surfaced; for example issues of coordination, which emerged between the US Secret Service on one hand and the September 26 Welcome Committee and the Cuban Consulate on the other. But at the end of the day, the Committee learned from the Cubans that “we make it work with what we have.”

For the president of Cuba, it was a week of long hard work, involving speeches at the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Nelson Mandela Peace Symposium, meeting with US businessmen at Google’s NY headquarters including the leadership of Google, Twitter, Microsoft, VaynerMedia, Connectity, Mapbox, Virgin Group, Airbnb, Revolution, Udacity and Bloomberg. There was discussion by President Díaz-Canel about Cuba’s access to the internet through mobile phones and developing the culture of start-ups on the island according to the Miamiherald.com. Díaz-Canel told the US executives that “computerizing society” in Cuba was one of his government’s key priorities.

President Díaz-Canel also met with US members of Congress including Democratic Representatives Gregory Meek of New York, Robin Kelly of Illinois, Karen Bass of California, Kathy Castor of Florida, Ron Wyden of Oregon and others. He also met with US agricultural and religious leaders and the Cuban American community. At the United Nations he had meetings with other heads of state.

Throughout his visit he expressed a passionate desire for the US to respect South and Central America and the Caribbean as a Zone of peace as declared by CELAC (Jan 2014 – The Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) gathered in Havana, Cuba, made this declaration).

It must also be noted that an illustration of the growing strength of the US-Cuba solidarity movement is the simultaneous and successful achievement of two major national events taking place on the East coast. In the DC area the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) hosted a week long “Days of Action Against the Blockade”. And in Harlem, New York, the “Cuba Speaks for Itself Welcome Rally” at Riverside Church. Both successful events demonstrated the new developing strength of the solidarity movement and that the final days of the blockade are approaching.

The Cuba Speaks for Itself rally was moderated by Gail Walker and Frank Velgara. It opened with the traditional drumming and pouring of libation done by the “Healing Drum Collective”, and was followed by the playing of the Cuban National Anthem.

Words of welcome from the Committee were read by Gail Walker, and acknowledgement of the special guests continued the program. Some of those guests included: Leslie Cagan, former co-chair of the Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, and one of the original founders of the NNOC; Congressman Charles Rangel, Former US House of Representative for New York 13^th District; Rosemari Mealy, J.D., Ph.D., Professor City College of New York, author “Fidel and Malcolm X; Memories of a Meeting”; Rev. Luis Barrios, Pastors for Peace; Sally O’Brian, Host of WBAI “Where We Live” and longtime Cuban solidarity worker; Gloria La Riva, Party for Socialism and Liberation’s  2016 presidential candidate; Malcolm Sacks, coordinator of the Venceremos Brigade; and others.

Reverend Michael Livingston, Senior Executive Minister of Riverside Church gave the words of welcome from the church. He cited the historic role that the church had played in enlightening the community, including hosting President Fidel Castro Ruz in 2000. (In 1995 Fidel spoke at the Abyssinian Church of Rev. Butts, in Harlem) Reverend Livingston was followed by the Riverside Church Praise Team who appropriately sang, “We are the solders, we will fight, and we will win, Hallelujah”.

The ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine) scholarship was explained by Gail Walker, Executive Director of IFCO/Pastors for Peace, which administers the scholarship. Gail noted that ELAM has graduated 179 students from the United States. She then introduced two ELAM graduates, Dr. Joaquin Morante, class of 2012 and Dr. Sitembile Sales, class of 2010. Both spoke in concrete terms of ELAM’s role in their life and development, and the significance of 179 US graduates. Dr. Morante said that since 2005, ELAM has graduated 28,500 students from 103 countries. The effect inside the US can be seen in the work of US ELAM graduates who are working to improve birthing outcome for at risk mothers, expanding healthcare for the homeless, and developing and improving primary services to transgender or gender non-conforming communities.

Before the doctors spoke, President Nicolas Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela entered the church, to a standing ovation. Frank Velgara introduced President Maduro after the ELAM doctors spoke. Maduro greeted the audience on behalf of the noble and revolutionary Venezuelan people. He said he came to this program for two reasons: 1. To “speak the truth of Venezuela and to expose it to the US people” and 2. “To come to this important cathedral in Harlem to bring my love and solidarity to all of you.” He then praised President Díaz-Canel and the Cuban people noting that: “We have been a victim of the anonymous imperialist aggression, however today on Sept. 26, 2018, I can tell you that the Bolivarian revolution is standing, alive and victorious.” Telesurtv.net added that “The U.S. doesn’t care about democracy. If it did, it wouldn’t threaten democratic countries with military intervention,” the Bolivarian president told the diverse crowd of listeners.

His presentation was followed by a selection from Cuban pianist Dayramir Gonzalez who shared a musical interlude.  Children then brought flowers and presented them to the President of Cuba.

Gail Walker offered an outstanding biographical introduction of President Miguel Díaz-Canel who spoke next.

Taking the Harlem stage in Riverside Church, President Díaz-Canel said: “Cuba is not a large or powerful country, not rich in resources, but it is rich in solidarity to its people”.

“Fidel Castro showed us that cooperating with other exploited counties was always a political principle and a duty of revolutionaries and humanity.”

“This is the commitment of those who have suffered and still continue to suffer injustice and exclusion as a result of colonialism, neo-liberalism, imperialism, and racism.”

“To honor that date, in memory of the founding fathers of our homeland … I come here to ratify the solidarity and unwavering commitment to justice and to achieve a better world which is, indeed, possible,” the Cuban president said, wishing long life for the Bolivarian revolution, Cuban revolution, and the solidarity shared between the U.S. citizens and Cuban people”.

Special thanks to videographer Jamila Allston and photographer Dennis Rodriquez Roman of the Pan-African Cultural Communications, who donated their services to the NNOC and whose images can be seen on the NNOC facebook page: www.facebook.com/CubaNetwork.

Submitted by Banbose Shango

NNOC co-chair

Cuban President speaks at Riverside Church

Posted by NNOC Admin on Sep 29, 2018 in Latest News | Comments Off on Cuban President speaks at Riverside Church

Cuban President speaks at Riverside Church

Submitted by editor on Thu, 09/27/2018 – 14:15

Díaz-Canel and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro spoke at an event organized in solidarity with the two nations, in the emblematic New York church

NEW YORK, september 27, 2018.- Located in Upper Manhattan, New York, and bordering the renowned neighborhood of Harlem, the Riverside Church has been the scene of memorable speeches by numerous historic leaders, such as Martin Luther King, who on April 4, 1967, delivered his famous sermon entitled “A Time to Break Silence (Declaration Against the Vietnam War); and Nelson Mandela, shortly after his release in 1990.

Harlem became a symbol of solidarity with Cuba on September 18, 1960, when then Prime Minister, Fidel Castro Ruz, arrived in New York heading the Cuban delegation to participate in the 15th Session of the UN General Assembly. Due to the attacks of the Eisenhower administration, which forbade him from leaving the island of Manhattan, the Cuban leader was welcomed at Harlem’s Hotel Theresa, where he held meetings with Malcom X, and with the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, among other personalities.
Doctors Joaquin Morante and Sitembile Sales, who trained at Havana’s Latin American School of Medicine, expressed their eternal gratitude to Cuba. Photo: Leticia Martínez

Forty years later, on September 8, 2000, the leader of the Cuban Revolution would repeat the visit to this New York neighborhood, on the occasion of the UN Millennium Summit,and deliver a speech at this same church.

DÍAZ-CANEL REPEATS FIDEL’S HISTORIC VISIT

The President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba received a warm welcome in the historic Riverside Church, where he was surrounded by friends of the island.

He was also joined by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros, who was welcomed with cries of “Long live Venezuela!”

Two young doctors, Joaquin Morante and Sitembile Sales, who trained at Havana’s Latin American School of Medicine, thanked Cuba for its solidarity and commitment to train young people from all over the world for the benefit of those most in need in their own countries. “We will follow the example of the Cuban people,” they noted.

Next to speak to the enthusiastic crowd was President Nicolás Maduro. “I came to New York, to the United Nations, to bring the truth of the Venezuelan people. I also wanted to return to this historic church in Harlem and reiterate our love and commitment, and share this moment with our brother Miguel Díaz-Canel and the people of Cuba,” he stated.

“We have been victims of immense imperialist aggression, but today I can say that the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela is still standing, alive and victorious,” Maduro concluded, to huge applause.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel began his speech by reiterating the fraternal relations and common struggle of Cuba and Venezuela. “Today at the United Nations, two sister peoples raised their voices. Venezuela denounced all the aggression to which it has been subjected and also ratified its decision to continue the Bolivian revolution, as a legacy faithful to Comandante Chávez,” he noted.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros was welcomed with cries of “Long live Venezuela!” Photo: Leticia Martínez

“Cuba also raised its voice with Venezuela, to support Venezuela, to support Nicaragua, to support Puerto Rio, to support Latin America, to support the Palestinian and Saharawi people, and to support all the just causes of the world. And also to denounce, once again, the unjust blockade that, for almost 60 years, the United States has imposed on us,” he continued.

“For Maduro, for Venezuela, for the Cuban delegation, it is very emotive to be here with you, friends of Cuba and Venezuela here in New York. Miracles like these happen in this city only here, in the Riverside Church,” the Cuban President stated, before stressing that this meeting, in a cathedral of faith and solidarity, was a gathering of brothers and sisters, of friends, of equals.

“Fidel taught us that to cooperate with other exploited and poor peoples was always a political principle of the Revolution and a duty to humanity,” Díaz-Canel explained.

“Cuba also owes a lot to international solidarity and to the help of many friends and activists here in the United States, among whom are many Cuban residents,” he continued.

“The most recent demonstration of this was the fight for the return of the Five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters and, before that, the return of little Elian to Cuba,” the Cuban leader noted.

He stressed that bilateral relations with the United States continue to be characterized by the economic blockade, which constitutes an obstacle to the development of the Cuban people and has caused huge deprivation to Cuban families.

The solidarity event concluded with performances by local dance groups in honor of the guests.(Cubaminrex-Granma)