National Network on Cuba Meeting Notes
November 7-8, 2015
Washington, DC
The 2015 meeting of the National Network On Cuba was held November 7-8 in Washington DC. The highlights of the meeting were, without question, the presence of ICAP President, Kenia Serrano and Leima Martinez, official of the America’s Division. It was the first meeting of the NNOC since the December 17, 1014 return of the remaining 3 of the Cuban 5. All present joyfully acknowledged this achievement. In addition, we were joined by representative of the Cuban Embassy, the first time we were able to greet the diplomats as representing the embassy rather than the Interests Section. It was also the first time that an ICAP President had been given a travel visa by the United States. All the events were held at University of the District of Columbia David A Clarke School of Law.
The business meeting took place on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8. We opened the meeting by noting the many positive developments in US/Cuba relations that took place in the past year as a result of actions by the solidarity community and others. There were voting representatives from 24 NNOC organizations among the 50 attendees. Four new groups applied for NNOC membership and were unanimously accepted: Alliance for Global Justice, Code Pink, International Outreach Educational Center (IOEC) and United States of Africa Revolutionary Party. Several groups that had been inactive participated including U.S. Women and Cuba Collaborative, Council on Latin American Relations, and Cuba Solidarity New York.
A by-law change that was proposed in the 2014 meeting was discussed and accepted by a vote of 21 in favor and 2 abstentions. The amendment provides that “one co-chair shall be assigned the task of working with the treasurer and shall have the authority to sign NNOC checks and have access to the NNOC bank account.”
Election for co-chairs was held and current co-chair Banbose Shango was re-elected and Greg Klave was elected to succeed Franklin Curbelo who has chosen not to run for re-election and will serve until the end of his term in December 2015.
Art Heitzer reported on the resolution at the National Lawyer Guild Convention calling on the United States to cease its intent to revoke the tax exempt status of IFCO/Pastors for Peace, cease harassing traveler’s to Cuba with threats of OFAC prosecution, and to issue visas to Cuban travelers in a timely manner.
Gail Walker updated us presented an update on the threatened action by the Treasury and Justice Departments to revoke the tax exempt status of IFCO. The political rationale for this remains unknown.
Angelika Albaladejo met with us and presented a summary of the status of the legislation on travel and trade that LAWG is focusing on and discussed the likelihood of advancing the bills as well as efforts that we members of the NNOC and others could take including visits to elected representative, calls, etc. The specific bills that LAWG is focusing on are: Cuba Trade Act (HR3238), Freedom to Travel to Cuba (HR664), and Senate Freedom to Travel (S299).
Kenia Serrano and Leima Martinez then joined the meeting to a standing ovation and chants of “Cuba si, bloqueo no”. Kenia began by affirming that the #1 victory was the return of the Five and the appointment of Fernando as Vice President of ICAP. Additionally, she declared that there were no concessions from the historic principles of Fidel and Raul. She talked about the victory at the UN General Assembly and the support that Cuba received as a result of its steadfastness and solidarity. She said that of the 300 groups that were formed for the freedom of the Five, most are still active. She referred to the MINREX report on what can be done without Congressional action. The work of the solidarity groups in the US were appreciated, including IFCO caravans, Vencermos Brigade delegations, Days of Action, 5 Days for the 5, etc. The major issues remain lifting the blockade, returning Guantanamo and closing the prison there, halting regime change efforts, compensating Cuba for the billions in damages as a result of US blockade. Kenia also talked about the steps of updating Cuban socialism, developing sustainable and prosperous development, and also stressed the importance on focusing on advocacy work with Congress. She talked about connecting with social movements and making the connections with these and the Cuban model. The July 2016 continental solidarity conference in the Dominican Republic was brought up as an important activity. (NNOC co-chairs participated in the previous conferences in Mexico and Venezuela) She also talked about the progress of foreign investment and the laws regulating it, the necessity of obeying Cuban labor laws, new laws regulating cooperatives and the results of more socialist and efficient ways of production. She also emphasized that Cuba has not compromised its principals and that the 5 are representative of the younger generation. She told the group not to take these victories for granted; they were won by the solidarity movement including the 135 countries with which ICAP has relationships. She talked about what the President still can do and said that the blockade was still in full force. Victims of the blockade include the solidarity movement. She also talked about travel opportunities and restrictions and emphasized the importance of “ethical travel” focused on Cuban society not on regime change. The money for regime change programs ($28 million) are still in place; and while the methods have changed the objective has not. The priorities remain 1. Lifting the blockade, 2. Ending regime change programs, 3. Compensation for effects of the blockade and for the terrorist actions aimed at Cuba, and 4. Return of Guantanamo. There could be 20 Mariel ports in the Guantanamo Bay; another missed opportunity for development of trade.
Kenia and Leima presented a beautiful poster recognizing the work of the NNOC with a photo and signatures of the Five.
Ideas such as conferences, speakers tours focused on specific areas of interest, greater church/religious involvement were discussed among the members as well as reaching out to new sectors. The many films about Cuba should be used as a resource. The commitment of Cuba to upholding labor protections and investment following Cuban laws and providing assistance to communities rather than individuals remain priorities.
The evening program: “Cuba Speaks For Itself” was videotaped and is available on the NNOC.info website. The room was packed, the young people from the Maryland International Day School were totally engaging in their cultural presentation, and Kenia and Leima answered all questions completely. Many thanks to the DC Metro Committee for their collaboration, to the many endorsers, to the David A Clarke School of Law and student organizations and to the Dean of the Law School for hosting the meeting and the reception following the meeting.
On Sunday discussion started with proposals for next fall’s meeting with the anticipation that there will be no limits on Cuban travel and participation. The following sites were suggested: Chicago, Minnesota, New York City, DC. The use of the NNOC facebook page, twitter, and website were discussed.
Two by-law changes were proposed:
The NNOC dues will be assessed annually rather than monthly with $120 yearly payment due on November 1 for the period of November 1-October 31.
Any NNOC member group that has neither paid dues nor participated in a NNOC meeting for 3 years will be considered to have relinquished membership and will be required to reapply for membership should they desire to rejoin the network.
Sunday featured member group reports where the innovative and creative and ongoing efforts of the members were shared. These included a number of actions taken in collaboration with other social, political, and religious movements. Some of the activities included expanded use of social media, support of the Nobel Peace Prize nomination for the Cuban medical brigades, connecting with the fight for $15 and Black Lives Matter, film festivals, hosting delegations of visiting Cubans, radio programs, letters to the editor and use of print media, legislative advocacy, supporting ELAM students, women’s exchanges, involvement with climate justice and sustainability, political education work with friends in universities and making Cuba relevant to young people, photo exhibits featuring the 5, ethical and socially sustainable travel, as well as the ongoing VB and Pastors travel challenges. There were over two dozen group reports.
Member ideas for work in the coming period included working in State legislatures to promote resolutions and use these to pressure Congress, using the 50th anniversary of major civil rights actions to include the Cuban struggle and support of civil rights, participation and challenges of doing so at the Intercontinental conference in support of Cuba in the DR, inviting Cuban experts to speak about Cuba, lobbying Congress, simultaneous actions across the U.S. to raise awareness of the effects of the blockade, regional and/or national/international conference, focus on educating young people on Cuba. Members are encouraged to send their ideas to the co-chairs.
Following this, Miguel Fraga diplomat with the Embassy presented a power point with impressive data concerning Cuba’s internal health, life, education, etc. indicators, relationships with other countries, medical missions, and history of U.S. Cuba relations.
All are encouraged to keep in touch with the NNOC. Our webpage is WWW.nnoc.info. Facebook is facebook.com/cubanetwork, and twitter is @NNOCuba.
