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Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba Forum:
Participants Confirmed Their Support of Cuban Revolution
On May 28, 2011 over 200 people crowded in to the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House in East Vancouver to participate in a special presentation and discussion titled, "Cuba Today: The Gains and Challenges". Organized by Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) and endorsed by more than twenty organizations, including the Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Vancouver, this event provided a space to discuss the achievements, the challenges and the future of the Cuban Revolution. A very special guest, Her Excellency Mrs. Teresita Vicente Sotolongo, Cuban Ambassador to Canada, travelled to Vancouver from Ottawa to share her perspective and reflections with the Vancouver community.
The event was opened by MC Tamara Hansen, the coordinator of VCSC. She noted that the large number of people who had gathered at the important event, showed the need for such discussions on revolutionary Cuba today. She then welcomed Mrs. Teresita Vicente Sotolongo, as well as Antonio Rodriguez Varcarcel, the political advisor and minister counsellor at the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa. Tamara also welcomed another special guest, Milagros Santana, the Consul General of Venezuela to Vancouver, who joined the other dignitaries to share her revolution’s perspective.
Tamara then warmly welcomed Joaquin Ernesto to share some of his beautiful songs for the crowd. Joaquin is the host of Romantic Tango, a program on Coop Radio, as well as a long-time social justice activist from El Salvador and Trova musician. He shared Spanish melodies and Latin American songs of love and revolution that the crowd could sing along to, mixed in with personal anecdotes about Cuban doctors who have helped in strengthening the health of the people of El Salvador.
Tamara then introduced Colleen Glynn, the secretary of VCSC and president of the Richmond Federal NDP, to speak about the solidarity work VCSC has taken on. Rooted in grassroots community organizing, Colleen explained how a group of dedicated Cuba solidarity activists have been actively campaigning for Cuba and the Cuban 5, not only on a local level, but working with groups across the country and participating in international solidarity trips to strengthen the bond of solidarity between Cuba and people in Canada.
Tamara then introduced special guest, Milagros Santana, the Venezuelan Consul General in Vancouver. She gave a presentation on the shared history of Cuba and Venezuela and the common path they have chosen. She also went deeper in to the revolutionary process that is taking place in Venezuela under the leadership of Hugo Chavez. After her speech, Milagros shared her talent as a musician by performing a beautiful and revolutionary Venezuelan Quattro. She finished by presenting Teresita Vicente Sotolongo with gifts from the Venezuelan Consulate, including a Venezuelan published copy of Fidel Castro’s ‘History will Absolve Me.’
Teresita spoke next. Providing an excellent powerpoint presentation entitled "Cuba’s Gains and Challenges and Evolving Socialism", she outlined the history of the socialist revolution, its achievements in health, literacy, and housing under very difficult circumstances. She explained the three main challenges that Cuba faces today: the continued US blockade and aggressive policy against Cuba; climate change which is seen in the hurricanes, droughts and floods that Cuba has had to deal with; and the international financial crisis, which has caused losses of more than $10 Billion to Cuba.
Teresita explained different ways that the Cuban people have confronted these challenges internally, as well as the changes that have been sweeping Latin America, beginning with Venezuela and the isolation that Cuba no longer faces in the region. She spoke about the extensive public consultations on the changes to take place in the country and the recent 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba. She explained that "Cuba is undergoing a strategic change in economic policy for the achievement of a sustainable socialism. Cuba is deepening its debate within socialism. The changes are conducted in an orderly manner, with wide consultation and popular support. No one will be abandoned to their fate in Cuba. Cuba will not give up its social achievements nor it will surrender to blind market laws. Cuba maintains socialism as a guarantee of its independence and sovereignty".
She finished by addressing the future of the revolution in Cuba: "Cuban president Raul Castro has indicated that he was elected to strengthen socialism in Cuba and that the Cuban people’s unity and the strengthening of the economy is fundamental. Cuba needs to consolidate socialism at a historical moment in which new generations must assume the continuity of the Cuban socialist project".
Teresita invited Tamara back up to the front to present her with a special gift. In her hands was a small wood carving of the symbol of the Cuban 5, who are unjustly imprisoned in the United States for defending Cuba against terrorism. Along with the wood carving was a letter signed by each one of the Cuban 5 recognizing the work that Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba has been doing for their freedom.
Discussion was lively and flowed well into the evening. The room booking needed to be extended for another half an hour in order to accommodate more ideas and questions. Many people had questions about the recent 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in April, the specific challenges that Cuba faces in regards to environment and ensuring the continuity of the revolution with its young people. Participants also reflected on how despite the challenges that Cuba faces, it has provided an example for the people of the world on how to put humanity first. Most importantly, some people emphasized the importance for people in Canada to continue working in solidarity with the people of Cuba to end the blockade and free the Cuban 5.
The evening closed with a standing ovation for the special guests and an anticipation for future events.