STATEMENT FROM THE CUBAN INSTITUTE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PEOPLES (ICAP) CONCERNING THE IRS REVERSAL OF IFCO/PASTORS FOR PEACE NON PROFIT STATUS.
To our sisters and brothers of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO):
To all those friends who never stop fighting for just causes:
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) reject the unjust decision of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revoke the non-profit status of IFCO/Pastors for Peace that for 50 years has carried a light of hope and spiritual support to thousands of people in various regions of the world.
IFCO has contributed to fostering fraternal ties and it has not been with weapons or bombs but rather with solidarity and friendship. They have done this with the conviction that a better world is possible and that the right of life should be respected.
Since the early 1990’s, when we were surrounded by hunger and desperation, IFCO/Pastors for Peace began to challenge the blockade and the restrictions to travel from the US to Cuba. They began organizing caravans of friendship to Cuba, an effort which has lasted for 27 years, moving tons of humanitarian aid to the Cuban people and their religious community. Its members have risked their lives in prolonged hunger strikes in protest when they were banned by the US to bring computers, medicines, and sports equipment to Cuba.
IFCO has also worked to reach out to the most disadvantaged communities in the United States, where they selected the best young representatives to travel to Cuba to train at the Latin America School of Medicine to become doctors without cost. What better example of love and friendship could there be between two peoples! And thanks to this project today more than 130 US youth have graduated from the school and have returned to serve the people in their communities and in other countries in need such as Haiti.
It is our hope that this statement will serve to acknowledge the commendable and valuable work of IFCO/Pastors for Peace and to denounce the unjust decision against an organization that is already integral part of the history of the Cuban people. We join with them in defense of justice and peace.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), will be always with you.
