In February, activists from the solidarity campaign Rock around the Blockade will travel to Cuba as the ‘Justice for the Cuban 5’ brigade to find out:
- What lies behind the recent reforms and how will they effect Cuban socialism?
- Does the Cuban Revolution retain its mass support among the population?
- What is the impact of the US blockade on Cuban development?
- Is Cuba able to maintain its high-standard, universal welfare provision during the global economic crisis which has seen the public sector under threat in the wealthiest nations?
The brigadistas will visit numerous centres, institutions and organisations. As well as meeting political leaders, they will carry out voluntary labour in factories and farms. They will visit old people’s homes, maternity homes, youth, community and sports centres, schools and hospitals – vital public services which in Britain are under attack today from the ConDem government. They will visit a hospital which treats children with cancer and learn about the medicines denied to them by the US blockade. In this year of the London Olympics, the activists will donate £1,000 of sports equipment for Cuban youth.
Political and fundraising events have been taking place around the country in the run-up to the brigade. Brigadistas have prepared by studying the history of the Cuban Revolution and the political economy of socialism to ensure they get the most information possible from their exchange with Cubans and learn about the socialist alternative offered by the Cuban Revolution. This is vitally important in this period of capitalist crisis which sees the intensification of the attack on the working class through neo-liberal austerity programmes and an escalation of imperialist warmongering.
On their return, brigadistas will report on their experiences, with photos and film footage, in meetings around the country. See the list of confirmed events below. Everyone is welcome to learn about and discuss the issues and achievements facing the Cuban Revolution in its 53rd year. To find out more about Rock around the Blockade and to donate to the campaign and material aid see:
Eyewitness accounts from Cuba
LONDON
Wednesday 29 February, 7.30pm
The Exmouth Arms, 1 Starcross Street,
London NW1 2HR (nearest tubes Euston, Euston Square, Warren Street)
Wednesday 7 March, 6pm
Queen’s Building, Royal Holloway, Egham Hill, Egham, TW20 0EX
020 7837 1688
MANCHESTER
Sunday 11 March, 2pm
Cross Street Chapel, Manchester,
M2 1NL
[email protected] 07519 427 093
NORTH EAST
Wednesday 7 March, 7pm
Barloco (formerly known as Barkollo)
22 Leazes Park Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PG
Wednesday 14 March, 6pm
The Chevron, Gordon Road, Byker
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1RP
Wednesday 21 March, 7pm
The Borough pub, 1 Vine Place,
Town Centre
Sunderland, SR1 3NE
07858 346 276
GLASGOW
Wednesday 29 February, 7.30pm
Couper Institute, 86 Clarkston Road,
Glasgow G44 3DA
Wednesday 14 March, 7pm
Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre
6 Daisy Street, Glasgow, G42 8JL
Sunday 18 March, 1pm
Iron Horse Bar, 115 West Nile Street
Glasgow City Centre, G1 2SB
07734 348 065
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! 225 February/March 2012
