June 18 2006 PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVAN TO CUBA! Send-Off Rally at the US/CDA Border! Scroll Down For More Photos June 18, 2006 – Waving Cuban flags and holding banners and signs against the US blockade on Cuba, 100 people rallied at the Peace Arch Border Crossing on June 18 to send off six caravanistas and a wide range of educational, medical and domestic supplies on the 17th Annual Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba. Victoria Goods for Cuba, Bellingham Cuba Solidarity, Salt Spring Goods for Cuba and Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) all co-sponsored and organized the successful border crossing from Canada into Washington State this year. Participants gathered at Peace Arch park for a potluck and program of speakers. Randy Caravaggio from Victoria Goods for Cuba MC’d the program, introducing the speakers and energizing the crowd for this first border challenge. When kicking off the program Randy explained, “For the caravan, the real challenge lies ahead with the challenge at the Texas/Mexico border when the caravanistas will break the blockade by taking US citizens and humanitarian aid, without a US treasury license, directly from the US with their stated destination as Cuba.” His introduction was followed by songs with messages of solidarity with Cuba by members of the Raging Grannies from Vancouver and Bellingham. Al Vale, a Bellingham Pastor brought greetings wishing this year’s caravan well. Al was followed by Tamara Hansen, Coordinator of VCSC who brought solidarity and support from Vancouver and led chanting of “Cuba Si! Yanqui No! Abajo El Bloqueo!” Tom from the Seattle Cuba Friendship Committee brought a solidarity message as a long-time supporter of Cuba and the caravan. He was followed by Rick, a caravan bus driver, who also encouraged everyone to support the caravan as much as possible this year as they may face increased pressure from the US administration as it clamps down on democratic rights in the US in the name of the “war on terror” and the heightening propaganda campaign against Cuba. Finally, Nicole, Sophie and Alison (from Vancouver), Tania (from Saltspring Island), Angie (from Scotland) and Carlos (Cuban-born, living in Olympia, WA) the six caravanistas departing on the caravan that day spoke about their desire to educate and spread friendship with Cuba, while collecting donations of humanitarian aid to break the blockade. The final speaker to charge up the crowd was special guest, Richard Becker, official Pastors for Peace Caravan speaker and organizer with the US antiwar coalition, International A.N.S.W.E.R. The group of supporters then descended from the park cheering and chanting as the cars crossed the border loudly and successfully and met the Pastors for Peace caravan bus on the other side. Participants then worked together to load the aid gathered in Vancouver and Victoria from the surrounding areas into the caravan bus. The last to be loaded on the bus, the departing caravanistas waved goodbye as they began their journey along with the precious cargo, down the road and toward Cuba. However this cargo isn’t safe yet, and we need to be prepared to respond in support of the caravan, and the Cuban people, and against the cruel US blockade if the caravan is met with resistance or hostility by the US government forces at the US/Mexico border. The success of this challenge to the blockade depends on continued struggle, organization and mobilization and ongoing support and pressure from all of us and in this the 17th Annual Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba and future caravans play an important role. Rally Participants Load Aid on the Bus Rally participants at the Pastors for Peace Bus Pastors for Peace Caravan Bus - a tribute to the Cuban 5 Heroes Members of the US National Lawyers Guild help as Legal Observers A Rally participant carrying a sign with a message for the cars passing by Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) Tshirt - Lift the Blockade on Cuba! One of the Raging Grannies! Many generations working together against the blockade Bringing the Rally Right up to the Border Crossing... and beyond!