A Revolutionary Path for the 21st Century
Scroll down for photos from the event!
It was a warm spring evening on the 14th of May 2005, seventy-seven years after the birth of Che Guevara. On this day Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) brought over 150 people together for a hot Havana night at Britannia Community Center - celebrating Che’s life and exploring Che’s ideas and his invaluable contribution to the international struggle for a new human being and a better world.
Che was an internationalist fighter. The panel of speakers in Vancouver reflected this, with Tim Louis, Vancouver City Councillor; Luis Dominguez Nieto, Cuban doctor and union organizer; Tayseth Fuentes, Cuban doctor and member of the Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC); Carlos Lopez, member of La Surda Latin American Collective, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba and Mexican political activist; and Ivan Drury, from the Editorial Board of the Fire This Time Newspaper and organizer with Mobilization Against War and Occupation. Translation was provided by Nino Pagliccia a well known pro-Cuba activist.
The presentations brought forth the life of Che, his impact on the revolutionary process in Cuba, his role in Latin America as a symbol and teacher. They also explored his contribution and influence on the development of revolutionary ideas and revolutionary movements in Canada across the globe.
On May 14th, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) used the opportunity to launch a new petition campaign against the current attempt by Luis Posada Carriles to gain asylum in the USA. Carriles is an admitted anti-Cuba terrorist, who has committed countless acts of terror against the Cuban people and the revolutionary Cuban government. He escaped from prison in Venezuela while awaiting trial for the bombing of a Cubana Airlines flight and he is currently seeking asylum in the US and protection for Venezuela’s extradition demands.
The forum passed a resolution demanding: No asylum for Luis Posada Carriles! Defend Cuba against terrorist attacks! Honor the extradition demand of Venezuela!
The May 14th event was a great success for Cuban solidarity work in Vancouver. Many young people, people of color, women, students, immigrants and refugees came together to show solidarity and support for the Cuban revolution. In learning from Che’s example, together we can grow and fight for justice for oppressed people globally. Together we can stand beside the heroic people of Cuba, and the heroic fighters in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Palestine, Indigenous nations in Canada and countless other oppressed nations, to end injustice, to end exploitation, and to build a better world
Venceremos! Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
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