National Network on Cuba Annual Meeting Report
October 20-22, 2017
Seattle, WA
The 2017 meeting of the National Network On Cuba was held on October 20-22, 2017 in Seattle WA. All events took place at the Washington State Labor Council which generously offered their facilities for the NNOC meeting. The Washington host committee including the U.S. Women and Cuba Collaboration and the Seattle/Cuba Friendship Committee worked to not only plan the meeting but to provide housing for all NNOC members who requested lodging. Cuban representatives at the meeting included Miguel Fraga First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC, ICAP North American Director, Sandra Ramirez, and Elizabeth Ribalta, official of the ICAP North America division. Due to obstacles related to the processing of visa requests by the US Embassy in Havana, we were unsure that our ICAP friends would be with us until only 3 days before the conference.
The weekend opened with a reception on Friday evening at the Labor Council. The Council had recently installed a mural celebrating the labor history of the area and we enjoyed viewing the panels wrapped around the building and learning a bit of the important contributions made by workers in the area.
The business meeting took place on Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22 with opening words from the host committees. There were voting representatives from 23 NNOC organizations among the approximately 60 attendees. There were also 2 friends from Vancouver Canada communities in Solidarity with Cuba in attendance. Two groups applied for NNOC membership and both were unanimously accepted: United Church of Christ Cuban Studies Seminar of Greensboro NC and CubAmistad of Nashville, IN.
A by-law change was proposed eliminating the category of Associate Membership and expanding the responsibilities of the co-chairs in reporting to the members. Exact wording of the changes will be forwarded separately to members.
The co-chairs presented a proposal for scholarships of up to $500 to be awarded to participants in NNOC member group delegations to Cuba. The first scholarship will be awarded in Spring, 2018, and all member groups are encouraged to apply. The recipient organization will be selected randomly and the application form will be circulated and posted to web page. The proposal passed unanimously.
Election for co-chairs and treasurer was held and Banbose Shango was re-elected and Gail Walker elected. We thank Greg Klave for his 2 years of service as co-chair and for his contributions to the network.
Sandra Ramirez North American Director of ICAP talked about the recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma and offered thanks to all for the friendship and solidarity offered to Cuba. She also highlighted the safety of Cuba and the ability of the tourist industry to offer quality tourist experiences and infrastructure.
Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy spoke about the solidarity with Cuba from around the world and noted that those of us at the meeting are best able to speak to the American people about the blockade and that the majority of the U.S. people favor ending the blockade. He spoke about the importance of legislative resolutions and also reinforced the facts that the Five are free, Oscar Lopez is free and the Cuban Embassy is open and functioning in DC. Fraga then reported on the “sonic attacks” and the questions around the reports including the delays and refusal in sharing information with Cuba. In contrast to these alleged attacks the reality is that there have been numerous serious incidents involving Cuban diplomats including the killing of a Cuban diplomat to the UN.
The first panel on travel was made up of Gail Walker of IFCO Pastors for Peace, Lynne Wilson of the National Lawyers Guild Cuba Subcommittee, and Elizabeth Ribalta of ICAP. Updates were made on travel restrictions and OFAC prosecutions. Lynne Wilson reported that the NLG Wall of Lawyers is ready to defend travelers. It is unknown when new regulations will take place but will include prohibition on individual travel and support of institutions associated with Cuban military. Currently Cuba is hosting groups and brigades and record tourism is taking place. Cubans wanting to travel to the U.S. now have the option to travel to Colombia to apply for visas at added costs and with no guarantee that they will receive the visa, and have other prohibitively expensive restrictions. Gail Walker reported on the RESPECT conference which was held in Havana in September with the participation of a diverse group of more than 60 travel providers. The meeting took place as the Trump Administration issued a travel warning and announced its decision to withdraw diplomatic staff from its Havana embassy. The new measures are opposed by the travel industry as well as the union that represents U.S. diplomats around the world. Elizabeth Ribalta emphasized that Cuba is ready to accept U.S. visitors and continues to offer a safe and friendly experience. She also mentioned the difficulties of the visa processing process including diplomatic and humanitarian visas.
The afternoon panel focused on Expanding the Solidarity Movement in the U.S. and included solidarity with Puerto Rico and disaster assistance, defending Venezuela which is under threat and propaganda attacks. Robbie Stern of the Washington State Labor Council reviewed the resolution that was hoped to be introduced at the AFL convention in St. Louis demanding an end to restrictions on travel and the economic embargo. He talked about the steps to work in unions and Central Labor Councils to introduce anti blockade resolutions. Two ELAM grads, Xochitl Williams-Garcia and Abraham Vela talked both about the focus of medical education and care in Cuba and their education in a patient focused system with principals, and their experiences dealing with the inequalities in all areas of life in the U.S. They emphasized the need to talk to elected representatives about ELAM and to urge them to visit Cuba and experience the reality of Cuba. Nate Norris, just returned from the Footsteps of Che Brigade where he shared his experiences of being with 67 people from the U.S. and 220 worldwide and the communal efforts of the Cuban people in dealing with hurricane reconstruction, decision making, prioritization of efforts, etc. Discussion and ideas included defying travel ban, education campaigns around Cuban medications, working with labor movement, women’s health networks, etc.
Although not viewed due to time constraints, the use of the film: Dare To Dream about Cuba’s Latin American Medical School was presented as an organizing, recruitment, and fundraising tool and a method of outreaching to public health, student groups and physicians for national health organizations.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent on member reports and projects and how to expand the solidarity movement and identify allies, tools, and actions.
Ike Nahem from NY made a presentation about international and national coordinated actions on November 1 coinciding with the UN vote on Cuba and urging groups to organize actions in their cities and invited people to participate in planning conference calls. Motion was made to endorse NYC rally at the United Nations to support Cuba. Motion carried unanimously.
Allison Bodine from Vancouver reported on plans for Nov 1 actions and announced International Che Guevara conference 10/27/17.
Omari Musa of DC Metro Coalition reported on September hands Off Venezuela demonstration; sent 7 people of May Day Brigade and 6 to Che Brigade; will take action on Nov 1 day of UN vote.
Charlie Serrano from CLAR is organizing university trips including biotechnology field. They are working on agricultural equipment opportunities and Cuba doing business in U.S. Also involved in bringing aid to Puerto Rico and bringing Republicans to Cuba.
Akubundi from AAPRP reported that they sent a delegation to Namibia, South Africa, and Guinea Bissau for the Jun 16, 2017 Fifth Continental African Conference of Solidarity with Cuba, participated in May Day Brigade, and several projects in Bay Area.
Greg LaMotta from Venceremos Brigade announced 50th anniversary of VB in 2019. Motion for NNOC to endorse and support; approved 20 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.
WILPF is working on ending the blockade and for LGBT rights with Cuban organization from Santiago de Cuba; “Las Isabelas”, organized tour of “Maestra”, participated in RESPECT meeting, and organizing May Day labor delegation.
United States of Africa Revolutionary Party (USARP) working in Texas on building relations, report backs, compiling resources and materials.
International Committee: working in coalition on welcoming Oscar Lopez to Bay Area raised $25,000 for Oscar’s foundation. Days of Action Against the Blockade in DC with 5 ELAm graduates and Cuban MD, Jesus Reno, and Leima Martinez from ICAP and Yoandrys Ruiz of the UJC. Events in 5 universities and showings of “Dare to Dream” twice. Visited 40 Congressional offices and worked with groups involved in the struggle for universal health care in the U.S. Endorsements from health and nurses organizations.
Netfa Freeman from IPS: involved in Days of Action in DC, public event with Cuban Ambassador Cabañas, social media, radio interviews, participated in Black Agenda Report, Phil Brenner will present book on Cuba at IPS.
IFCO/Pastors for Peace projects: continuing to recruit ELAM students and need for support for ELAM graduates; next caravan in 2018, 50th anniversary celebration in NYC on 10/27/17.
Chicago: support International Brigades including May Day and Footsteps of Che, and send people to Cuba, support IFCO and VB.
SWP: outreach to working class neighborhoods to talk about Cuban revolution.
Richmond-Regla Cuba Friendship Committee: difficulty with funds; working with City Council, organized event with Jane Franklin, hurricane relief, concert with Mickey Menendez and proclamation by former Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin welcoming him to Bay Area.
Saturday evening: dinner and public rally at New Hope Baptist Church which has a long history of supporting Cuba including sponsoring a visiting delegation of Cubans during the 1999 protests of the WTO in Seattle. Recognition of the work of Gail Walker who had recently brought a group of congregants from the church to Cuba. Speakers included Cindy Domingo, John Waller, and Nalda Vigezzi from NNOC meeting and also Church Pastor Rev. Robert Jeffrey, Seattle Peace Chorus, Commission Larry Gossett, member of King County Board of Commissioners, and ELAM graduates.
Sunday morning: continuation of group reports and plans.
CPUSA: Events at local meetings, trips, support P4P, ELAM, public education, state and city resolutions, labor resolutions, publications in Peoples World, raise issues of Venezuela, N. Korea, etc., work on 2018 elections.
NLG Cuba subcommittee: working on defending prosecutions since 2006, activated wall of lawyers in cases of problems with travelers and ready to reactivate, wrote letter with staff of Congressman Conyers re: selling of construction materials to Cuba after hurricane with 65 Congress people also signing letter.
CubAmistad: works with groups and children on exchanges especially on school kids art projects, support P4P.
Task Force on the Americas: trips focusing on Latin America expand common bonds throughout the hemisphere to lift blockade.
July 26th Coalition: very successful P4P program with Congressman Jim McGovern and Miguel Fraga who also did presentations at several universities and with local elected officials, festival with Leonardo Padura at libraries, universities, etc., support of Witness for Peace.
MN Committee: presented 8th film festival with 6 weeks of showings and now planning 9th festival; resolutions in MN House and Senate, art exhibition with Center for Cuban Studies.
Cuba Solidarity New York: National conference for normalization of relations held in NYC 250 people registered and large delegations of Cubans including from FMC, UN Mission, ICAP. July 26th event with NY Nurses Association, building for Nov 1 UN vote and actions.
Justice for Cuba/Doctors for Detroit: support Detroit ELAM students, SNCC vets, work on city council resolutions, medical and nutrition need in Detroit, urban gardens.
Gallatin, MT Valley Friends of Cuba: work in university community and with farmers and ranchers and indigenous community and tribal colleges, women’s studies, Native American studies, literacy and libraries to get young people involved. Promote ideas of eco-tourism, ethical business relationships.
Pittsburgh: Boxing on the Bridge unique event; hosted ICAP in 2016. In Feb. 2017 took young Pittsburgh boxers to Cuba for rematch.
Next Meeting proposals invited; need a suitable venue and host committee and look at community as a place to develop or reinforce local work.
Need for NNOC to connect Web Page, Facebook, other social media, and include links to local groups. Member organizations and individuals who want to help needed.
Miguel Fraga again stated that the Embassy is open and that we have worked together in difficult times and will continue to do so.
ICAP closed the meeting by noting the importance of the solidarity movement and stating that Cuba has never imposed a blockade on anyone. Need to promote the May 1, 2018 International Brigade; it especially important that people from other countries know that there is a large solidarity community in the United States. July, 2018 VB and P4P, Intercontinental Conference in Support of Cuba in Managua, Days of Action in Washington DC, Nov 1 UN vote are all important activities. Expand use of social media and support ELAM graduates.
Photos of meeting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/16954978@N05/sets/72157688420813764
Final thanks from co-chairs to Seattle host committee.
