Caravan Send Off Celebration On Saturday July 4th, about 90 people came together for the 2009 Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba send-off celebration and barbeque where the smells of delicious foods, musical performances and stories from past caravans filled the air of Trout Lake Park. The event was MC’ed by Tamara Hansen, Co-ordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba and Co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba. Tamara introduced the night and gave a brief history of the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba. This was followed by the heart felt works and poetry of Cuba supporters who had come to share their work of poetry and music in celebration of the caravan send-off; including Luis Valesquez, Dilia Ochoa, Seonaid Lamb and Alejandro Mujica-Olea who shared some of their poetic verses on Love, Life and Cuba. Next to share their work was Shakeel Lochan, who wowed the crowed with his original spoken word poetry. Following the performance came the time to play games. Participants of all ages came together to play a game of “Get the Aid to Cuba!” Where opposite teams play US border guards against Caravanista who are trying to pass them by and get the aid to the Mexican border. Next was the special guest speaker Lisa Valenti who is the National President of the U.S.-Cuba Sister Cities Association and participant in all 20 Pastors for Peace Caravans to Cuba, including a successful hunger strike for 96 days to release U.S.-seized aid bound for Cuba. Lisa spoke about the importance of the Pastors for Peace caravan to Cuba and Cuba solidarity organizing; she also shared her stories and experience from being on the caravan all twenty times. Lisa also shared the very moving story of a man from Vancouver named Bryan Rohatyn who joined Lisa in the 96 day hunger strike. Following Lisa, Joaquin Ernesto performed beautiful songs on his acoustic guitar. He brought together people in celebration of the next successful Caravan to Cuba and also in celebration of the success of the Caravan to Cuba thus far. US Border Crossing On July 5th Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba, Victoria Goods for Cuba, and other Cuba solidarity organizations including Canada Cuba Friendship Association (Vancouver) as well as Cuban solidarity activists from Saltspring Island, Comox Valley and Nanaimo joined together for the 20th Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba Canada-US boarder crossing. Over 120 people from Vancouver, Vancouver Island and as far as Washington State including Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Blaine and Bellingham came together to send off five Caravanistas. The Caravanistas are accompanying medical aid, sports equipment, computers, bicycles, children’s clothing and many other items destined for Cuba, to challenge the immoral and cruel US Blockade of Cuba. The event started at Peace Arch Park with Randy Caravaggio, from Victoria goods for Cuba, who outlined why the Caravan is such an important event for Cuba solidarity and why we need to openly challenge the Blockade on Cuba. Following Randy was some music by Art Farquharson, a progressive singer from Victoria, followed by talks from several of the Caravanistas such as Janine Bancroft, Rick Fellow and Lisa Valenti who shared their thoughts on the importance of the caravan. They emphasized the importance of lifting the unjust blockade imposed on Cuba and how important it is to have so many people supporting the send-off over the US border. Sarah Alwell, co-ordinator of the Free the Cuban Five Committee Vancouver emphasised on fighting against the cruel and unjust blockade being imposed on Cuba. However, she asked the Carvanistas and participants to multiply their effort to support the five Cuban men – known as the Cuban 5- being held unjustly in US Jails fighting the terrorism imposed on their country. Next was some heart felt and musical performances from the Raging Grannies from Seattle and the Solidarity Notes Choir from Vancouver that had everyone on their feet singing along to their progressive and beautiful lyrics and melodies. Following was Tamara Hansen who read out the letter and statement that the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) wrote to President Obama condemning the blockade Imposed on Cuba. Tamara’s announcement was met with cheers and applause from the participants. Tamara also spoke on the importance of Cuba solidarity work and of fighting to end the blockade on a continuing base. She said, “We don’t need to just be active, but we must be active and involved in an ongoing campaign.” After the speakers, participants of the Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade from Vancouver came up to sing an original song written and dedicated to the Five Cuban heroes. By the end of the song people were on there feet clapping and singing along to the chorus. After all of the speakers and musical performances, participants picked up signs, Cuban flags and banners and headed off to the boarder. The marchers were met with three honking vehicles filled with the humanitarian aid headed to Cuba. The participants marched along side the vehicles chanting, “Lift, Lift Lift the Blockade!” “U.S Hands Off Cuba!” catching the attention of many driving by. Once on the US side of the Peace Arch Park everyone began to load the aid from the Canadian cars into the Pastors for Peace Bus that will carry the aid and Caravanistas through the United States. The Caravanistas said their goodbyes to the crowd of supporters, loaded into bus and the 20th Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba was off to a good start for its tour of the United States to challenge this immoral and criminal US blockade on Cuba!	Report Back Pastor for Peace Caravan to Cuba Successfully Launched from Vancouver Click on photos to enlarge