 |
| Young Trade Unionists at the Julio Antonio Mella Camp |
Twenty-six young activists from across the British trade union movement visited Cuba to enjoy the May Day celebrations and offer their solidarity to the Cuban people as part of the Young Trade Unionists May Day Brigade, organised by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC).
Delegates from four trade unions; Unite, UNISON, UCATT and
GMB participated in the brigade, representing millions of workers in Britain,
who joined trade unionists and political activists from around the world in a
programme of cultural activities, visits, entertainment and political
discussion.
 |
| Carrying out agricultural work |
The shift in the US-Cuba relations and the release of the
Miami Five were issues central to this year’s brigade, with emphasis on the
fact that the blockade is not over. Topics of political discussion included the
Cuban political systems, the US and its policy towards Cuba and importance of
international solidarity.
240 activists from 20 countries filled the Julio Antonio
Mella camp near Havana, where brigadistas carried out early morning
agricultural and manual work, including weeding, lifting and cleaning, where
they experienced first-hand the struggle of life under the US blockade, which
denies the Cubans access to basic machinery and goods.
 |
| May Day Rally in Havana |
The young activists enjoyed a prime position at the
extraordinary May Day Rally Celebrations in Havana, where they were just rows
away from Cuban President, Raul Castro, Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro
and all five of the Miami Five – at the first May Day since their release – who
waved onto cheering crowds of nearly 1,000,000 people. Masses of people, as far
back as the eye could see, marched under the banner of ‘Unity in the construction of Socialism’;
celebrating the achievements of the Cuban Revolution.
 |
| Steve Turner, Unite Assistant General Secretary and Tony Woodhouse, Chair, Unite EC with Unite young members on the brigade. |
On May 2 the brigadistas attended the International
Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba conference
at the Conventions Palace in Havana. As international guests of
the Confederación de Trabajadores de Cuba
(CTC/Cuban TUC equivalent), the brigade gained valuable insight
into Cuban trade unionism and their crucial role in the government and economic
management of the country.
 |
| Joe McGurk, Unite Scotland, delivers the delegation's speech |
The Conference included distinguished
guests Cuban Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canal, CTC General Secretary, Ulises
Guilarte and all of the Miami Five heroes; Gerardo Hernández, René González,
Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González.
Joe McGurk, from Unite Scotland, delivered
an excellent speech on behalf of the delegation to over 2,000 delegates and
broadcast on Cuban television, in a speech which sent solidarity to the people
of Cuba, called for an end to the US blockade and called on the British
government to issue visas for the Miami Five, which received a huge round of
applause from the conference.
 |
| Local primary school visit in Playa Giron |
The brigadistas had many visits included in the programme;
visits to a local primary school, the Museum of the Revolution in Havana, meeting
with local artists, a local CDR (Committees for the Defence of the Revolution)
and a survivor from the 1961 US-organised invasion at Bay of Pigs, who read an
emotional poem to give an insight into her experience of the invasion.
In Santa Clara, the group visited the armoured train - the
scene of the Battle of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara’s battalion attacked a
train carrying weapons for the US-backed dictator Batista - a key moment in the
Cuban Revolution. Following this visit the group paid their respects to the nearby
Che Guevara Memorial and each lay a flower in his memory.
The brigade offered experiences far beyond that of an
average tourist in Cuba, including attending conferences with the CTC and meetings
with the leaders of political and mass organisations, such as the Federation of
Cuban Women (FMC) and the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) alongside
many opportunities for interactions with Cubans throughout the programme.
In addition to the brigade programme, there was time for fun
and relaxation – with lots of music, dancing and entertainment provided by
local artists in every town the group visited, and a few Havana Club rum
cocktails and Bucanero Cuban beers were enjoyed.
 |
| Transport to the agricultural work |
The brigade provides the opportunity to see Cuba first-hand,
free of capitalist media misrepresentations and to show solidarity with the
Cuban people. Conditions on the camp were basic – at times there were power and
water cuts – and accommodation was in bunk bed dormitories. Brigadistas braved
the Caribbean heat to undertake agricultural work with their Cuban comrades,
transported in the back of open trucks. Such experiences give a brief insight
into life under an illegal and inhumane blockade which denies ordinary people
access to basic resources.
For over 50 years Cuba the US tried to isolate Cuba, but
ultimately, the US became isolated with its aggressive foreign policy towards
the island. Solidarity with Cuba helped win this battle and now it is needed to
end the blockade.
Whilst Barack Obama has acknowledged that the blockade has
been a failure, it still remains in place. Any movement towards ending the
blockade is likely to be blocked by the Republican-controlled Congress. Cuba
needs solidarity now more than ever as the US goals of regime change are still
the same - it’s just a change of tactics taking place.
 |
| British and Canadian delegations unite in Havana |
Brigadistas ended the trip with fresh passion and enthusiasm
to get more active in their unions and with a commitment to work alongside CSC
to redouble efforts to end the blockade once and for all, campaign for the
illegally occupied Guantanamo Bay area to be returned to Cuba, defend the
achievements of the revolution and defend Cuba’s right to sovereignty and
independence.
Solidarity helped free the Miami Five. For the people of
Cuba, this ongoing support and solidarity is invaluable as we work together to
end the blockade. Viva Cuba!
Interested in Cuba? Take Action!
Interested in the 2016 young trade unionist brigade or another brigade to Cuba? Contact Ollie Hopkins, CSC Campaigns Officer, campaigns@cuba-solidarity.org.uk
Brigadista's feedback:
"Such a marvellous experience. For a country that has so little they really do give a lot and have such a community spirit. A truly touching experience that will never be forgotten.” Ashley Charlton, UNISON North West:
“I had the most amazing experience and learned so much about Cuba. There really is no better way to get to know a country then on the ground with the people. An experience I will never forget.” Ruth Parrott, Unite North East, Yorkshire and Humber
“My visit to Cuba was a life changing experience. I realise now that the world is both bigger and smaller than I ever imagined. I have struck up solidarity links that will only grow and makes stronger as a united network of workers. I am inspired to put more into my own activism by the undeniable passion the Cubans have for their own politics. I aspire to follow their example and give as much to the fight as they do everyday. Now I know that truly un otro mundo es possible. Viva Cuba!” Joni Lewis, Unite LE/7064E GPM National Publishing and Media Branch
“I feel immensely privileged and overwhelmed to have enjoyed such an unforgettable experience as a brigadista in Cuba. I can't imagine a better way to discover this inspiring country than alongside like minded activists from all over the world. On a personal and political level it was a thought provoking and paradigm shifting experience. As a socialist I always believed a better world was possible but in Cuba you see this up close and can breathe in a completely different atmosphere. It has changed me as a person, it was completely life affirming and I now feel committed to redoubling my efforts so that others can learn from the wonderful example set in” Sarah Rogers, Unison West Lothian Branch
"The brigade is truly an amazing, life changing emotional experience and I couldn't recommend it enough to any socialist. Although talks have begun with the U.S the blockade is not over. It is imperative that we keep our support and solidarity to the cause and to the people of Cuba by joining the CSC and affiliate our branches. Through this we managed to free 5 innocent men, with enough pressure we can end the blockade!" Dominic Bradbury, Unite North West
No comments:
Post a Comment