The Venceremos Brigade, Pastors for Peace, U.S./Cuba Labor Exchange and Africa Awareness struck a blow against the U.S. blockade of Cuba when around 300 Cuba travelers crossed back into the U.S. in New York State and Texas marching, dancing and chanting as they declared openly they had traveled to Cuba.

At the welcoming picnic organized by local Buffalo activists including the International Action Center and the WNY Peace Center, city council representatives declared their support and solidarity with ending the blockade, defending travel challengers and the right of the Cuban people to determine their own system. Both groups met with the families of the Cuban Five and pledged to multiply efforts to free the five Cuban heroes, win visitation rights for family members particularly Olga Salanueva and Adriana Perez. There was a marked difference in the attitude of U.S. federal officials to the delegations this year, showing that the travel ban has been defeated on the ground. Now is the time to end the laws blockading Cuba!

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