May 14 2006 Che Guevara's Legacy for Social Movements in Latin America and the World Forum & Celebration Click photo to view larger version On May 14th, around 100 people came together to commemorate the birthday of Che Guevara, and to celebrate his living legacy for social justice movements throughout Latin America and the world. The celebration, organized by Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba, the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, and the Free the Cuban Five Committee –Vancouver, was an informative, entertaining, and festive success. Colleen Glynn, an organizer with VCSC and Richmond NDP Exacutive was the evening’s dynamic MC. She introduced former Vancouver City Councillor and long-time fighter for social justice Tim Louis. Tim noted that when Che was killed in Bolivia, he did not die, as his legacy and spirit lives on in people struggling for justice and equality throughout the world. Wilson Muniz of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church of Vancouver spoke next, from the perspective of having grown up in Latin America, and describing the incredible legacy of Che Guevara has for people in Latin America to struggle for justice. Noah Fine, Co-ordinator of the Free the Cuban Five Committee – Vancouver outlined some of the historic aggression from the US that Che fought and that Cuba has fought, particularly focussing of the case of the five Cuban Heroes who have been held in US jails for nearly eight years for defending Cuba against terrorism from the US. The last speaker was Sophie Ziner, an organizer with VCSC. Sophie noted that Che’s legacy is not one to be recognized in history or in rhetoric, but in our daily lives. “The idea that Che lived for of an international struggle for human dignity and human rights in one that we are today called upon to take up – to carry. From the Middle East, to Africa, to Latin America, we must - like the Cuban schoolchildren say - be like Che, and fight alongside all people in struggle. The gains that Cuba has made, that Venezuela has made, that Bolivia is making, need to be our hope and our inspiration, here in Vancouver, here in BC, and here in Canada,” Sophie said. German Altamirano opened the evening of cultural performances with a reading of two moving poems that brought messages of inspiration and solidarity with people in struggle to the crowd. The musical portion of the evening was then kicked off by Hugo Rojas, who performed beautifully songs of solidarity with the struggles of people in Latin America, and “Comandante”, a song to commemorate Che Guevara. Dancing and celebration began after Hugo Rojas, with a lively selection of Latin American music played by DJ Contradiction. More celebration of Che’s legacy was brought with a cake in commemoration of his birthday, and more festivity to celebrate Che’s incredible legacy of struggle, social justice, and love for people.