We forwarded a statement to you on February 18 about Obama’s upcoming trip to Cuba. It urges actions on March 21 and March 22, and invites you to support the International Committee’s Days of Action in Washington DC on April 18-22.  The NNOC statement was forwarded to ICAP and picked up and reprinted by Prensa Latina (print and broadcast), Cubadebate, and Granma International. Please see the link that follows to read the Granma article:  Red de solidaridad con la Isla apoya visita de Presidente estadounidense.

The support that our statement has received reaffirms our commitment to engage in a united and concentrated effort on March 21 and 22, to advocate with our elected officials in Washington for an end to the unjust and unilateral United States blockade. Our friends and NNOC member organization IFCO/Pastors for Peace have proposed making calls to Congress; we join with them in urging you to call your members of Congress on March 21 and 22.

Although there are several pieces of legislation that warrant Congressional attention and action, you may prefer to urge your Representative and Senators to vote in favor of any/all legislation that would end the Blockade and Travel Ban, rather than focusing on specific bills.

For example when you reach the office, ask to speak with the aide who is in charge of foreign affairs or Cuba policy.  Tell him or her:  I am _____________, a constituent of ___________________.  I live in___________ and am calling to urge the Congressperson/ Senator to support all legislative efforts to end the Blockade of Cuba and the Travel Ban.  I support the measures that President Obama has taken, including his current visit to Cuba.  What is his/her position?  Has he/she signed on a sponsor of the bills?  Can I count on his/her support of the legislation?  As you know the majority of the U.S. people support an end to current U.S. policy and view Cuba favorably.  Thank you for your time and for bringing my concerns to the attention of the Congressperson/Senator.

Please also see the link below which will provide you with the contact information for your members of Congress.  This is the time to make the calls, make our voices heard in mass, and push for the end to the Blockade.  Contacting the Congress: A Citizen’s Congressional Directory 

We again urge all members to get involved with the International Committee’s Days of Action in Washington, DC on April 18-22.  They have called for 3 days of advocacy in Congress and we all should make this a priority. Click on this LINK if you are interested in participating or need more information.  Join with the International Committee, IFCO, NNOC, Venceremos Brigade and the Institute for Policy Study and make our voices heard and our faces seen in Washington.

Please share this message with your organizations and commit to these actions. And let us know the response so we can share experiences.

In Solidarity,
NNOC Co-Chairs
Alicia Jrapko
Banbose Shango
Cheryl LaBash
Greg Klave
Nalda Vigezzi