An Update on the Second Crossing of the US/Canadian Border with
humanitarian aid destined for Cuba. The crossing was organized
by Let Cuba
Live with support from IFCO/Pastors for Peace, Caravane d'Amitie
Quebec -
Cuba and The Association quebecoise des amis de Cuba.
For the second time in six weeks activists and opponents to the US blockade
of Cuba converged on the US/Canadian border at Coburn Gore, Maine,
to
challenge the US government's blockade of the island by delivering
humanitarian aid donated by doctors and hospitals from throughout Maine,
and other parts of the United States.
Sixty-Five activists and opponents to the US blockade of Cuba from Maine,
New
York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts (and Mexico), driving 20 vehicles
arrived at
the remote border crossing check point at approximately 12:00 noon
Saturday,
August 18. When the vehicles arrived at the check point the drivers
were
diverted to a small parking lot where manifests were checked.
Representatives of Let Cuba Live were told by US Customs that the aid
would
not be released for Cuba unless the group applied for license. Let
Cuba
Live was told that it was "not too late" to still apply for a license.
Rev. Lucius Walker, Executive Director of IFCO/Pastors for Peace who
participated in the crossing asked the Customs official if he had even
bothered to notice what was in the boxes. "These are baby blankets,
diapers
and medicines," he said.
"These blankets do not in any way represent a threat to national security",
said Judy Robbins of Let Cuba Live.
Customs insisted that the medical aid could not be sent without a license,
and that the aid would be seized. To which Steve Burke of Let Cuba
Live
stated that the group was not accepting nor applying for a license
to ship
the aid, explaining that accepting a license would validate the 41-year-old
US blockade of Cuba. With that stated, the group began carrying boxes
of
aid across the bridge.
Despite the aggressive tactics of the 20 Customs officials and State
Police
officers on the scene, including wrestling with activists, throwing
and
kicking boxes and pushing a young man off the back of pick-up truck
so that
he head hit the asphalt, more than 2/3 of the donated aid is now en
route
to Montreal for shipment of Cuba.
Among the aid that was successfully transported across the border were
medicines and medical supplies including an ambulance gurney, adult
diapers, hospital bedding, as well as baby blankets, school supplies,
crayons, pens and pencils.
Let Cuba Live is pleased with the results of today's crossing and plans
to
continue to fight for the release of the aid seized on both July 2
and the
aid that was seized today.
On Friday, August 10 attorneys for Let Cuba Live filed a 53 page petition
with U.S. Customs seeking the release of the medical supplies for Cuba
which were seized on July 2, stating "the commissioner should return
the
seized goods because the U.S. embargo against Cuba violates both the
U.S.
constitution and international law." The petition also includes an
exhibit
of statements expressing religious, political, moral, and humanitarian
positions held by the members of Let Cuba Live.
Please stay tuned for additional details about the action and ways you
can
support the group's efforts to gain the release of the seized aid.
For additional information contact the following representatives of
Let
Cuba Live in Maine:
Midcoast Steve Burke 207/2733247
Down East Judy Robbins 207/3264405
Lewiston / Auburn Renee Cote 207/7864325
Bath / Brunswick Barbara West 207/4432899
South Paris Tom Whitney 207/7432183
Portland Todd Ricker 207/8741987
Old Orchard Beach Jessica Zambrano 207/9345941
In N.Y. call IFCO/Pastors for Peace
IFCO/Pastors for Peace
402 W 145th Street, New York City, NY 10031
212-926-5757; fax: 212-926-5842; email: ifco@igc.org;
web: http://www.ifconews.org