Skip to content

Details

Rally Against the USA Embargo on Cuba

Wednesday Sept. 27 5:00 to 6:30PM

Townsend Park (corner of Central & Washington Avenues w Henry Johnson Blvd.)

Whether an earthquake in Pakistan, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, hurricane relief in Antigua, or a tsunami in Bangladesh, Cuba is usually first among the countries providing medical care and other disaster assistance. Today Cuba has over 45,000 physicians and other professionals working in disaster assistance and other development projects in 103 countries. Cuba provides more medical personnel to the developing world than all the G8 countries combined. Even while Hurricane Irma was being ravaged by Hurricane Irma, Cuba sent 750 physicians and other health workers to Barbuda, St Kitts Nevis, St Lucia, The Bahamas, Dominica and Haiti, to assist those sister Caribbean nations recover from the damage caused by that powerful storm.

But today Cuba needs our help. Much of Cuba has been devastated by Hurricane Irma, the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in Cuba's history. Thousands of homes, agriculture, electrical plants, the infrastructure, have been seriously damaged. The Cuban people, government, and mass organizations are working hard in the recovery efforts. Even more damaging than natural disaster is the U.S. economic blockade, which has cost the country hundreds of billions of dollars and hampers its development. Additionally the embargo keeps critical medications and medical equipment inaccessible at a time of great need.

Many have mistakenly thought that US anti-Cuba economic, commercial, financial, and travel sanctions – which has a central “extraterritorial” component that has inspired unanimous opposition around the world – had ended with the restoration of diplomatic relations in 2015 under the Obama Administration. That was not the case and enforcement of the US blockade has never stopped or been reversed legally.

It is our turn to come to Cuba’s aid.

How you can help:

  1. Help end the embargo, join us for a Rally Against the USA Embargo on Cuba, this coming Wednesday (9/27) from 5:00 to 6:30PM at Albany’s Townsend Park (corner of Washington & Central Avenues with Henry Johnson Boulevard) (see attached flyer, and urge your friends to join you).
  2. Join us for a demonstration at the United Nations (NYC) November 1st On that day the United Nations General Assembly will again express the universal, opposition to Washington's economic and political war against Cuba. The General Assembly Resolution demands “Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Embargo by the United States of America Against Cuba.” The annual UN vote has been a major political embarrassment for successive US Administrations and Congresses, with near-unanimous support for the Cuban government-sponsored Resolution year after year since 1992. The vote in 2016 was 191 – 0 with 2 abstentions, after the US (and Israel), in the last period of the Barack Obama Administration, both "abstained." At a time when President Trump has stepped up anti-Cuba rhetoric and threats, it is important that we join the world in demonstrating our opposition to this cruel embargo and the ban that keeps Americans from traveling freely to Cuba. Albany Cuba Solidarity is organizing car pools for those that want to participate in this important event. Please contact us ( AlbanyCubaSolidarity@gmail.com ) if you need a ride or can offer a ride to others.
  3. Donate money to assist with hurricane relief and reconstruction – either of 2 ways (both will forward 100% of your donation for hurricane relief in Cuba):

3a) Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee - has set up a fund that will forward 100% of donations for Cuban relief & reconstruction (Paypal or Checks) http://www.cuba-venezuela.org/index.php/donate/ (http://www.cuba-venezuela.org/index.php/donate/)

3b) Canadian Network On Cuba (CNC) Donations to the Hurricane Irma Relief & Reconstruction for Cuba Campaign can be made by mailing checks made out to the Canadian Network On Cuba to: CNC Hurricane Relief, 56 Riverwood Terrace Bolton, ON L7E 1S4. Please write "CNC Hurricane Irma Relief Fund" on the memo line of your check.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/e/f/f/600_464732511.jpeg

Events in Albany, NY

Members are also interested in