CSC would like to wish all our members and supporters best wishes for the New Year and a big thank you for all your support in 2019.
A busy anniversary year amid new threats to Cuba
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution throughout 2019 with a series of speaking tours and events to highlight the achievements of the Cuban people over the last six decades and to raise awareness of the impact of the US blockade and new threats against the island.
The US has announced a new ban on travel to Cuba for cruises, group tours, private planes and yachts
The last twelve months saw the US blockade ramped up to unprecedented levels by the Trump administration. Title III of the Helms Burton Act was enacted for the first time in 23 years in May, and new measures in recent months have included restrictions on people-to-people exchanges by US travellers, ending many direct flights form the US to Cuba, restricting oil imports, and attempts to undermine Cuba’s international medical volunteer programmes. The coup against President Evo Morales in Bolivia has led Cuba to withdraw its medical volunteers after doing the same following the election of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in 2018.
Our ‘Cuba60’ year kicked off with an online anniversary card
Our ‘Cuba60’ year kicked off with an online anniversary card signed by more than 4,700 supporters.
Yuniel Espinosa Reyes and Yelena Gomez Gomez, with CSC's Gordon Calliste and Yolanda Edo Figas
In March, young Cuban workers Yuniel Espinosa and Yelena Gómez travelled more than 1,500 miles and visited 9 cities to share experiences with young British trade unionists.
Play for Cuba appeal send-off at the NEU Conference 2019 in Liverpool
April saw more than 4,000 instruments shipped to Cuba, the culmination of the year long Play for Cuba appeal.
Cuba Solidarity Campaign marches against Trump in London
CSC supporters joined the Latin America block at the Together against Trump march in London on 4 June and later in the month we were honoured to host Dr Enmanuel Vigil Fonseca for a two week tour where he spoke about his experiences working in Africa (fighting Ebola), Ecuador, Haiti, Peru and Western Sahara during humanitarian disasters as a member of Cuba’s ‘Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade.
Unanimous support for solidarity with Cuba at TUC Congress
In September, the TUC Congress passed a unanimous motion condemning the US blockade and Trump’s new measures against the island. The annual gathering of British trade unionists also heard from CTC General Secretary Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento who urged workers worldwide to unite and fight the “decadent international economic order”.
British trade unions display solidarity with Cuban unions at historic conference
The strength of solidarity between British and Cuban workers was demonstrated in November when a fourteen-strong delegation for Cuban trade union leaders representing health, public administration, communications, transport, education, energy and mining sectors attended the Unions for Cuba conference and a week of and workplace visits throughout the UK.
Over 500 attend crucial Latin America Conference
Cuba’s Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso Grau, was CSC’s guest speaker at the annual Latin America Conference on 23 November where he told delegates that the success of the Revolution was based on building “a culture based not on dehumanisation and weapons but solidarity.” Canadian author Keith Bolender also spoke at the event as part of his extensive tour of CSC local groups on the Media War against Cuba.
CSC members say Hands off Cuba to Trump during UK visit
CSC finished the year by joining another London march to protest at President Trump’s visit during the NATO summit in December.
This jam-packed year of Cuba60 events would not have been possible without the tireless work and support of CSC members, affiliates and local groups and we would like to thank you all for your actions and enthusiasm throughout 2019. We hope that you will continue to work with us to maintain this level of solidarity with Cuba into 2020 as the blockade continues to be tightened.
If you are not already a member of CSC, please consider joining here. And if you are already member, please consider donating to our work in 2020 here.
Many thanks once again for all your support during 2019. We wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and all the best for 2020.
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign Team
Cuba Solidarity Campaign c/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7490 5715 | Fax: +44 (0)20 7490 3556 | Email | www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk