CUBA Caravan in Ithaca :: End the Blockade :: Food, Music, Dance

The 30th US-Cuba Pastors-for-Peace National Friendship Caravan returns to Ithaca, New York, featuring speaker Gail Walker, National Director of Pastors for Peace. Learn about recent developments in Cuba, including: the new participatory constitution of 2019 and 100 year climate action plan; U.S.-Cuba relations under Trump and Obama; the impact of 60 years of U.S. sanctions and blockade; the role of Cuba in the struggle for black and brown liberation worldwide; the solidarity movement in the United States; Cuba travel and organizing opportunities. Enjoy delicious vegan-friendly, locally and humanely sourced Cuban dinner prepared by Chef Roy Josef. Live Cuban Music by Damn Yanquis opens event reception, with Jonathan Kline on percussion and violin, Dan Zakalik on piano, Genji Onishi on bass, and Charlie Izzo on congas. Learn Cuban dance, Salsa en Rueda de Casino, with an introductory lesson by DJ Instructor Michael Luis, after the presentation and into the night. Meet other community members and activists. Join us for an evening with the Cuba Caravan at the First Baptist Church. Invite a friend * Volunteer * Donate * RSVP! PROGRAM 6:30PM RECEPTION with Food and Live Music Authentic Cuban Food by Roy Josef. Vegan and vegetarian options. Live Music with Damn Yanquis. 8:00PM PRESENTATION & CONVERSATION with GAIL WALKER *Introduction to Caravan with tribute to Reverend Lucius Walker, Founder of Pastors for Peace * U.S.-Cuba Relations under Trump and Obama * Impact of Sanctions and Blockade * Developments in Cuba: 2019 Constitution, 100 Year Climate Action Plan, Health Missions & more * On Juneteenth: Cuba and the Struggle for Black Liberation and Self-Determination * Solidarity in the United States & Travel to Cuba * Q&A 9:00pm MUSIC, DANCE and MINGLING Connect with friends, activists and community members. Cuban Salsa & Rueda de Casino dance lesson and social dance with DJ Instructor Michael Luis. FUNDRAISER Suggested Donation $10-$25 Sliding Scale. ALL WELCOME regardless of ability to pay. In-Kind payment accepted, especially in the form of volunteering. ALL PROCEEDS benefit the Caravan, including delivery of vital humanitarian aid and supplies - medicine, medical supplies, hand construction tools, and hand agricultural tools - needed for natural disaster recovery and medical care provision in Cuba. TO RSVP & Donate Online: https://donorbox.org/caravan-in-ithaca-fundraiser TO RSVP by email or phone (and donate at event), or for questions: [email protected], (607) 592-1986 BUILDING ENTRY & PARKING First Baptist Church, Ithaca, has NO street-side entrance. We are in the back corner of DeWitt Park in downtown Ithaca - surrounded by Buffalo, Cayuga, Court & Tioga Streets. Parking is available on these streets and there is a county parking lot - free and open for the Cuba Caravan event - around the building with access from Tioga or Court Streets. SPONSORS Ithaca Friends of Cuba and: CODEPINK, Dancing Turtle Sprouts, Durland Alternatives Library, First Baptist Church of Ithaca, Get Designs Here, Greenstar Food Co+Op, Here We Are Farm, Ithaca Catholic Worker, Ithaca Organics, Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, Maple Creative, No More Tears/No Mas Lágrimas, Purity Ice Cream, Salsa Ithaca, Southside Community Center, Wide Awake Bakery.