Report Back 21st Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba! In July 2010, 8 British Columbians had the good fortune to join the 21st Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba. Over 85 Caravanistas from across the United States and around the world, joined together to raise awareness about the cruelty of the illegal US blockade against Cuba. Along with over 100 tons of aid for Cuba, the Caravanistas visited the island of Cuba and learned firsthand about the impacts of the blockade on Cuba and the revolutionary spirit of resistance and creativity that Cuba has used to overcome the difficulties imposed on them. On Friday October 15th, many of the B.C. Caravanistas gathered together to share stories about this year’s caravan and build on the successes for next year. This year was the highest ever participation of Caravanistas from B.C., and was also punctuated by the purchase of a bus by Saltspring Island with money raised by grassroots efforts throughout the province. Most importantly the event was dedicated to the late Reverend Lucius Walker. Lucius was a founder and leader of the Caravan to Cuba who passed away recently, on September 7, 2010. The report back began with an introductory slideshow by Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba member Thomas Davies, which gave people a taste of the huge undertaking that is the Caravan with its 13 different routes through North America and visits to several different provinces in Cuba. Thomas was followed by Jaqueline Jantzen and Free the Cuban 5 Committee – Vancouver organizer Max Tennant. Jaqueline had travelled from Nanaimo, B.C. on Vancouver Island to participate in the event, and gave an enthusiastic report about her first experience on the Caravan. Max outlined the Caravan’s successful showdown at the U.S./Mexico border to defy the U.S. blockade and get the aid and Caravanistas across on their way to Cuba. Manolo de Los Santos joined the event live via video-conference from the Bronx in New York City. A staff member with IFCO/Pastors for Peace, he outlined some of the amazing accomplishments Caravan participants were able to see in Cuba, including the Latin-American School of Medicine where students from around the world come to study for free. Manolo was followed by Free the Cuban 5 Committee – Victoria member Sarah Alwell who shared her experiences at Cuba’s official July 26th rally with 90,000 other people in Santa Clara, as well as receiving presentations from rural representatives on how the accomplishments of the Cuban Revolution extend across the entire island. Another Nanaimo resident who had travelled to be part of the event was Ruth Caspell. Her presentation focused on the case of the Cuban 5 heroes held in U.S. jails, whose families the Caravanistas were able to meet while in Cuba and have inspired her to continue working for their freedom. VCSC member Janine Solanki gave what was probably the most surprising presentation of the evening, showing the audience a signed copy of Fidel Castro’s new book, “The Strategic Victory” which she received as a participant in a special July 26th meeting with a small group of Cuban artists and Fidel Castro. It was one of Fidel’s first public appearances after being absent from public life, and she reported that at 84 he continues to be incredibly animated and engaged in the fight for a better world. Again from New York City, Mobilization Against War and Occupation co-chair and IFCO/Pastors for Peace staff person Alison Bodine gave a moving commemoration of the late Reverend Lucius Walker, Jr. She reaffirmed that the struggle Lucius help lead for a better world and to end the criminal U.S. blockade on Cuba was definitely not over, and that the Caravan this year would continue and honour the legacy which he had created in decades of struggle. All British Columbians interested in participating in the Caravan next year can contact Tamara Hansen, coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba at 778-889-7664 or visit the Pastors for Peace website for more information: http://www.ifconews.org.