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Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Nonviolent challenge to blockade of Cuba comes to Sioux Falls
By Staff Reports

The “Cuba Caravan” will stop in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, the 4th of July.It also is known as Pastors for Peace and plans to launch the 18th nonviolent challenge to the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

The ecumenical initiative is a project of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization and has delivered more than 2,500 tons of assistance to Cubans without a U.S. Treasury license.Jim Bouman from Wisconsin and Sabine Casper from Hamburg, Germany, will stop in Sioux Falls. Their program is at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Deb McIntyre and John Hutchinson, 47704 69th St..Casper is a long-term Cuba solidarity activist who this year is participating in her 10th consecutive caravan.

She will discuss how the U.S. blockade impacts other countries.More than 130 Pastors for Peace volunteers from the United States, Canada and Europe will challenge blockade and travel restrictions against Cuba at the U.S.-Mexico border July 17.

They expect to collect 100 tons of humanitarian aid during a two-week caravan that will converge in McAllen, Texas before traveling on to Cuba without US treasury department licenses. They intend to deliver the school buses, educational supplies, medicines, and medical supplies gathered in communities throughout the US and Canada.Since 1992 Pastors for Peace has used hunger strikes and mass mobilizations to successfully challenge government attempts to confiscate vehicles and humanitarian aid bound for Cuba.

Published: July 03. 2007 9:10AM