May 20 2006 HANDS OFF CUBA & VENEZUELA! Rally & March Fundraiser & Celebration Organized by the Hands Off Cuba & Venezuela May 20th Coalition - Vancouver Fundraiser & Celebration As the voices of people attending the May 20th ‘Hands off Cuba and Venezuela!’ march and rally had filled downtown Vancouver, they were echoed in a special way by musicians at a cultural night and fundraiser later that evening, called “Song of Solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela.” Over 75 people packed the Mount Please Neighborhood House to be served what can only be described as “amazing” food and were visually astounded a special slideshow on the Cuban and Venezuela Revolutions both by prepared by organizers with the May 20th Hands Off Cuba & Venezuela Coalition. Manuela Valle kicked off the event reading anti-colonial poetry highlighting peoples struggles in Latin America, and the strength and defiance of those fighting for humanity. Abbla Banji got the evening swinging, playing Caribbean folk songs, with a timely cover of the Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” which had the whole room smiling. “We forward in this generation Triumphantly. Won’t you help to sing These songs of freedom?” Abbla was followed by Ricardo of the La Surda Latin-America Collective, playing soulful-solo guitar songs inspired by humanity and its connections. Bringing the evening to a crescendo was Cuban-trained guitarist Ramon Flores, and his friends, singer Nina Acevedo and percussionist Pablo Oyarzo. Together they played a huge variety of historical and original songs inspired by the culture of resistance in Latin-America. The energy created in the streets earlier that day was again present in the room as the evening came to an end. The evening was successful in raising $400 for the costs of building the demonstration and the ad featured in 24 hours newspaper for the rally. It was also an opportunity for organizers, participants, and the newly-interested to come together to discuss politics and enjoy each other’s company. VIVA CUBA! VIVA VENEZUELA!