Protest blockade & war moves against Cuba on Friday, June 7, 5pm, US Consulate, Auckland

The Cuba Friendship Society in Auckland invites you to join us in opposing the latest moves by Washington to tighten sanctions on Cuba.

Add your name to a cusolch

Join us for a protest picket on Friday, June7 from 5-6pm at the

US Consulate General, 23 Custom St East., Auckland City.

See other activities at the end.

Declaration Rejecting the Escalation of the U.S. Economic War Against Cuba

Since annual voting on the US blockade of Cuba began at the United Nations in the 1990s, the vast majority of member-nations have supported the proposal that it cease immediately.

From 1995 to the present, New Zealand has supported this majority position; only Israel and the United States have consistently opposed it. Against this background, the undersigned branches of the New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society condemn the recent escalation of the US blockade.

In particular, we are deeply concerned by the announcement from the US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, and US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on 17 April 2019, which:

1: bans virtually all non-family travel to the island by US citizens;

2: imposes new limits on the amount of money Cuban Americans can send home to their families, and

3: confirms that the US is to fully implement Title-III of the Helms-Burton Act, to allow Cuban Americans the right to sue foreign companies with investments in any property nationalised after the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

We call on the United States Government to immediately reverse these measures, to end the illegal, unjust, and immoral blockade, and to pay reparations to Cuba in recognition of the US$134 billion of damages that have been caused by the blockade.

We call on the New Zealand Government to use diplomatic channels and international forums to advocate for the end of the blockade and the payment of reparations.

We call on the New Zealand Government to actively protect New Zealand investments in Cuba by demanding the immediate repeal of the illegal and extraterritorial Helms-Burton Act, in particular the infamous Title-III.

We call on all supporters and friends of Cuba to strengthen their solidarity towards Cuba and the revolution, now celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Viva Cuba!

Supporting Branches:

Auckland, Blackball, Christchurch and Dunedin.

May 15th, 2019

Other activities:

1) Look out for events at the end of June, early July. Calling for Hands off Venezuela!, Hands off Cuba.

We condemn US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a “full and complete embargo” to punish Cuba for its solidarity with Venezuela. The claim that the US is acting on behalf of “the Venezuelan people” — and that some 20,000 Cuban troops are running the country today — is known to be a bald-faced lie by millions in Venezuela. Many of them can testify first hand to the selfless conduct, humane treatment and solidarity by thousands of Cuban medical personnel, teachers and other internationalist volunteers.

2) Participate in the Asia Pacific Regional Solidarity Conference with Cuba in Kathmandu, Nepal July 26/27 – see details in Cuba Friendship Society Te Waipounamu .

3) Join the annual Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. 28 December 2019to 17 January 2020.For full details see http://cubabrigade.org.au/

4) The newsletter of the Cuba Friendship Society Te Waipounamu includes links to a range of resources and a final chance to contribute to the Tornado Appeal, and their website.

Regards

Annalucia Vermunt.