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2010


Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice and
"Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies"
is very pleased to present:

Film: CUBA MIA: PORTRAIT OF AN ALL-WOMEN'S ORCHESTRA
(85 minutes, Cecilia Domeyko, 2005)

Friday, February 19, 7:00 to 9:30PM

Discussion after the film will be lead by members of the US Women & Cuba Collaboration and will focus on the film's themes as well as contemporary US and Cuban relations and Cuba's role in humanitarian aid and international solidarity with Haiti. The Collaboration is organizing a women's delegation to Cuba in March 2010; for details about the Delegation and the US Women & Cuba Collaboration, visit their website.

This award-winning (CINE Golden Eagle, Chicago Film Festival, World Music Festival) film was directed by Cecilia Domeyko, creator of dozens of films capturing the Latina/o experience in the US and Latin America. Featuring ten talented and beautiful musicians, playing the harmonies of Cuban soul, CUBA MIA demonstrates the power of music to cross boundaries. This story of the musicians of the all-woman Camerata Romeu is filled with dazzling faces and fiery performances that astonish and delight.

By turns funny, angry, lyrical and moving, CUBA MIA takes us behind the scenes of a Revolution in progress—that has prioritized gender and racial justice, investment in arts, music, culture and the politics of sexuality as essential to healthy human development—and offers a slice of Cuban life seldom seen on the world's screens. "If you liked Buena Vista Social Club, you'll love CUBA MIA!"

Flyer Details

LOCATION:
Keystone Congregational Church
5019 Keystone Place N., Seattle
(0.4 miles west of the I-5 NE 50th St. Exit - Metro Bus Routes 16, 26 & 44)
Directions can be found at Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies.

Event is FREE and open to the public!
...but Donations are kindly accepted.



2009


From US Treasury—OFAC:

Effective September 2009:
New Cuban Regulations

US Treasury–OFAC

Cuban Assets Control

Sanctions Against Cuba


From US Legislators:

Toward New Rules About Cuba

Patty Murray, D-WA


Cuba Central News Blast
UN VOTE: Another drubbing at the UN: 187-3
October 30, 2009

Read more . . .


WHO Director General Praises Primary Health Care in Cuba
Posted by Toronto Forum On Cuba
José A. de la Osa, October 27, 2009

Read more . . .


Slow But Steady Progress
The Center for Democracy in the Americas, 28 July 2009

When Lincoln served in Congress, he reportedly said during a debate, "I walk slowly, but I never walk backward."

If you look at what happened in Cuba news this week - as we do every week - what leaps off the page are indications of steady progress. Many of us who work on these issues are impatient and want the Obama administration to move forward faster on normalizing relations with Cuba. But the reality is that progress is happening on many levels - it may not be flashy, but it is happening without much controversy and - and that is a major departure from the past.

Here are five examples.

First, the U.S. and Cuban militaries participated in joint military exercises, as they have done in the past, but our administration allowed the press to cover what had occurred. Our organization has previously proposed expanding military cooperation, and going public with these exercises will lay the groundwork for doing exactly that.

Second, officials from Tampa, Florida, traveled to Cuba for meetings with government officials about expanding trade ties. You remember Florida, right, the state that serves as the massive political obstacle to getting something real done on Cuba. The political climate is changing. Not that it didn't take courage for the delegation to make that trip; but this kind of courage is contagious.

Third, New Orleans wants to get into the act. Mayor Ray Nagin wants charter aircraft service between his city and Cuba just like Los Angeles and Miami have. The embargo against Cuba is not simply bad foreign policy and bad for our constitutional right travel, it is also foolish and self-defeating economically, and increasing numbers of Americans (and their elected officials) get that.

Fourth, Senator Byron Dorgan, a fearless crusader for changing Cuba policy, won approval in a Senate Committee for an important proposal that will expand agriculture sales to Cuba. Dorgan is also sponsor of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, the Senate bill to repeal the ban on legal travel for all Americans, and he understands that expanding travel will result in increased Cuban demand for food produced in the U.S.

Fifth, the migration talks restarted by the U.S. and Cuban governments took place in New York. Both countries issued positive statements suggesting that progress is being made. We were able to confirm the reality of that diplomatic happy talk in private meetings this week with foreign policy officials from both countries during our visit to Cuba with seven high-ranking staff people from the U.S. Senate.

It takes time to dismantle a policy that has been in place for fifty years, long after it was evident to almost everyone that U.S. policy toward Cuba was hurting us a lot more than it ever hurt them.

But in just the last three months, we have seen real changes - the elimination of travel restrictions on Cuban-American families, U.S. cooperation in the effort to lift Cuba's suspension from the OAS, and now the resumption of migration talks. We may be walking slowly, but we're not walking backwards, and we see the prospects of a lot more progress to come.


Che Guevara's daughter recalls her revolutionary father
Libby Brooks, The Guardian, Wednesday 22 July 2009

Read more . . .


Global Forum for Health Reseach 2009, Nov 16-20, Havana, Cuba: The Global Forum for Health Research (GFHR) is an independent international organization committed to demonstrating the essential role of research and innovation for health and health equity, benefiting poor and marginalized populations.

Read more . . .


Celebrate Women's Equality Day at NAAM: Northwest African American Museum, Seattle, August 27, 5:30-8pm. Brought to you by National Organization for Women, Reclaim the Media, Evergreen College Labor Center, and US Women and Cuba Collaboration

More details


Remembering Marilyn Clement
June 30, 1935–August 3, 2009

"Marilyn Clement's WILPF and Cuba organizing were most impressive. We travelled together on the delegation for the GX Interhemispheric Women's Peace and Justice Conference in Havana in 1996 organized by Medea Benjamin when Marilyn was ED of WILPF."
— Jan Strout, Co-chair, US Women and Cuba Collaboration

Read more . . .


About Honduras:

Honduran Feminists in Resistance
22 July 2009

Open Letter to the President of the United States of America

Hondurans Demonstrating for Zelaya's Return

Hondurans Demonstrating for Zelaya's Return

Updated Reports by Medea Benjamin

Hondurans Pour into the Streets Demanding Zelaya's Return
by Medea Benjamin
Published on Monday, July 6, 2009 by CommonDreams.org

The day started out full of joy, as thousands of Hondurans converged in front of the National Institute of Pedagogy, intent on marching about three miles to the airport to greet the plane that was supposed to bring deposed President Zelaya back to Honduras.

Read more . . .


Honduran Feminists Speak Out

Reinstate Zelaya


Cuban Five Visitation Rights for Adriana Pérez:
Obama and Clinton Must Change their Position
Arnold August, 15 July 2009

Today we have been informed that the US State Department has once again refused a visa for Adriana Pérez to visit her husband Gerardo Hernández.

Read more . . .


A new approach to Cuba
By Barry R. McCaffrey
The Miami Herald, Jun. 23, 2009
2009 Miami Herald Media Company, All Rights Reserved

The Obama administration has made an excellent first step to eliminate some restrictions on travel to the island, to loosen constraints on remittances and to re-engage in migration talks. Positive, multiple lines of engagement are clearly the way forward. Broader contact and leverage with Cuba through additional commercial and people-to-people contacts will in time help promote a more pluralistic, less impoverished, and more open society.

Read more . . .


High court won't review 'Cuban 5' espionage case

June 15, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)— The Supreme Court on Monday refused to review the convictions of five Cuban intelligence agents who say they did not receive a fair trial because of strong anti-Castro sentiment in Miami.

High Court Won't Review


Declaration by the Presidency of Cuba's National Assembly

June 15, 2009
The U.S. Supreme Court announced today, without explanation, its decision not to review the case of our Five comrades who are unjustly imprisoned . . .

Declaration of National Assembly


CUBAN NATIONAL UNION OF WRITERS & ARTISTS (UNEAC)
Havana, 19 June 2009

LETTER TO AMERICAN INTELLECTUALS AND ARTISTS

On June 15, the US Supreme Court refused to review the case of the five Cuban anti-terrorist activists unjustly imprisoned in your country. This is another chapter in a long series of injustices that have resulted in over 10 years' loss of liberty for Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero y Fernando Gonzalez.

Letter to American Intellectuals


Jean Colman

Jean Colman, Who Fought for the Rights of
Low-Income Women, Dies at 59

by Kristyn Joy, Contributing Writer
Real Change
May 20, 2009
Vol 16 No 24

Jean Colman, a longtime leader in the national movement for dignity and fair treatment for low-
income women, died early May 8, after a nine-year
battle with breast cancer. She was 59.

Jean Coleman Dies

Travel Challenge 2005:Jean Coleman's Reflections


VII Taller Internacional: Mujeres en el Siglo XXI

The Chair of Women Studies of the University of Havana and the Federation of Cuban Women held the VII International Scientific Workshop "Women in the 21st Century" at the University of Havana from the 18th to 22nd of May, 2009, in Havana, Cuba. It was also co-sponsored by COSUDE, HIVOS, OXFAM, ACSUR, MUNDUBAT, ACPA, and the FELIX VARELA CENTER.

Its main purpose was to promote the opportunity to exchange information, to update and assess academic work on topics concerning Feminism, Gender, Women's Studies and work being done with contemporary women and feminist movements.

Conference



The Measure of a Revolution: Cuba, 1959–2009
Understanding the Past, Considering the Future
May 7–9, 2009
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

The "Measure of a Revolution: Cuba 1959-2009" conference was jointly organized by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Havana University, Boston University and Queen's University.

Conference Website



Obama's Cuba Moves Do Little to End the Economic War on Havana

By Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports
Posted on April 7, 2009, Printed on April 14, 2009

A group of U.S. lawmakers visiting Cuba has called on the Obama administration to join every other country in the Western hemisphere in normalizing relations with Cuba.

Obama's Cuba Moves


For Relatives, Travel to Cuba Just Got Easier

MARCH 12, 2009
BY FRANCES ROBLES
frobles@MiamiHerald.com

Travel to Cuba Just Got Easier


Ongoing Hurricane Relief

News from Sandra Levinson,
Center for Cuban Studies and Cuban Art Space, NY

Dear Hurricane Relief Contributors,

Last week, thanks to you, the Center's first two containers of materials arrived in Cuba for delivery to hospitals terribly damaged by the three hurricanes that hit Cuba in 2008. The containers contained 30 hospital beds and mattresses, 40 operating tables, and 15 sterilizers, Within the next couple of months we will continue to send materials because we were able to get all of these materials DONATED and only had to pay for the shipping of the containers! With luck we can continue to do this, though of course we cannot count on it, in this economy. We realize that this cannot be a one time only shipment, because the needs are so great and hurricanes happen every year, so we will continue to raise money for hurricane relief and put the money into these kinds of shipments. Thank you so much for your support.

Sandra
Feb 4, 2009

For information about making Hurricane Relief donations:

Sandra Levinson

Cuban Art Space


Dear Friends,

The effects of Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, and Paloma, had grievous effects on Cuba and their effects persist even when news coverage does not. According to the Cuban government, the hurricanes have caused more than $5 billion in damage across the island, and 444,000 houses have been impacted with 63,000 completely destroyed. Every resource in Cuba has suffered damage. There have been incapacitating losses of food crops and farm animals, electricity and water services, as well as destruction of institutional structures including schools and hospitals.

The Cuban people are known worldwide for their international solidarity with other peoples in their times of need. Today, the Cuban people are in need of our solidarity both in terms of humanitarian aid and a change in U.S. policy to Cuba. Please take action immediately in both of these areas.

Thank you,
US Women and Cuba Collaboration

August 2009

The U.S. Women and Cuba Collaboration works closely with the following organizations and particularly encourages your support of their humanitarian aid drives.

MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba)

IFCO/Pastors for Peace

Cuban Art Space



Blockade on Cuba Costs US Economy More

Invasor.cu
Monday, January 12, 2009

Blockade on Cuba Costs US



Hurricane 2008 News

Hurricane Paloma wrecks hundreds of homes in Cuba
By Anne-Marie Garcia, Camgauey, Cuba, Sunday Nov 9, 2008 (AP)

Hurricane Paloma


Reports about Hurricane Paloma from Susana Hurlich in Havana
Friday, Nov 7, 2008

Hurricane Paloma


¿Como ayudar a Cuba — How to help Cuba?
Sandra Levinson, slevinson@cubanartspace.net
September 16, 2008

Suggestions for Humanitarian Aid

Susana Hurlich Writes from Havana:
Detailed Hurricane Ike Reports
Susana Hurlich is a Canadian free-lance journalist based in Havana
Reports from September 7 through September 17

Hurricane Ike


Latin American Working Group Action Alert
lawg.org, Sept 11, 2008

LAWG Action Alert on Cuba Hurricanes

Contact Congress

Sign a petition: US assistance to Cuban hurricane victims



In Wake of Storm Damage, Calls to Ease Cuba Embargo
New York Times, Damien Cave, September 10, 2008

Serrano calls for suspension of regulatory restrictions in order to help Cuba recover from hurricanes
serrano.house.gov/PressRelease, Sept 8, 2008

Serrano calls for emergency suspension of US–Cuba family restrictions



2008


VIO Venezuela Weekly News Roundup
Friday, November 7, 2008

Chavez Congratulates Obama


Obama Has Historic Opportunity to Improve Ties With Latin America Center for Economic Policy and Research, November 6, 2008

Obama Has Historic Opportunity

Cubans hope Obama's win means 'better times ahead'
By Mary Murray, NBC News Havana Bureau Chief
Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:05 PM

Cubans Hope Obama Win Means Better Times

Why Can Cuba Do It?

Jose A. De La Osa
Havana, Saturday, 18 October, 2008. Year 12 / Number 291

Why Can Cuba Do It?

Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for a permanent end to the US travel and economic embargo against Cuba
September – 6 – 2008

Cuba Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement


Cuba: Women Combating Shortage of Decent Housing
Patricia Grogg, Inter Press Service News Agency, August 01, 2008


US Committee strengthens efforts to free the Five / Comité estadounidense fortalece campaña por libertad de los Cinco
Prensa Latina, July 29, 2008


Chronicle of an Injustice: Brief Summary of the Case of the Cuban Five, Leonard Weinglass, July 21, 2008
Legal Activists of Color Blog
nlgtupocc.blogspot.com/2008/07/brief-summary-of-case-of-cuban-five-by.html

Brief Summary of the Case of the Cuban Five


Cuba has authorised sex-change operations and will offer them free to qualifying citizens, officials say.

Published: 2008/06/07
Story from BBC NEWS

Cuba To Provide Free Sex Change Operations


Venezuela Creates New Ministry for Women
Olivia Burlingame Goumbri, Venezuela Information Office, Caracas, April 25, 2008



2007


Luci Murphy, Washington, DC, Cuban American singer activist, receives Paul Robeson Award for Peace and Justice
Tim Wheeler, People's Weekly World Newspaper, September 20, 2007


Is homosexuality persecuted in Cuba?
José Manzaneda, Coordinator of Cubainformación TV, September 19, 2007. A CubaNews translation. Ed Walter Lippmann.


Vilma Espín Guillois, Cuban heroine, President of the FMC, Dies
Marta Rojas, Granma, June 19, 2007


Haircut, Highlights, and Safe Sex Tips in Havana
Mary Murray, NBC News World Blog, March 1, 2007, 8:02am



2006

Cuba's Female Vocal Group Sexto Sentido
Omar Vazquez, October 2, 2006, from Walter Lippmann via AfricansForCuba@yahoogroups.com



Before 2006

The couple's decision
Raisa Pages, March 8, 2000, Granma International

Please Donate

Please Donate

Mission Statement

Our mission is to build a strong US women's movement dedicated to ending the US government blockade of Cuba and to creating mutually beneficial US–Cuba relations; our work is rooted in the concept of universal human rights, racial and economic justice, and women's rights.

Campaigns

Contact Us

Join the US Women & Cuba Collaboration. Contact us to be added to our email list for notices of news, action items, and upcoming delegation opportunities (not more than one email a month).

Victoria Kill
info@womenandcuba.org


Project Co-Chairs:

Cindy Domingo
yoson66@hotmail.com

Jan Strout
peacewomen4ever@yahoo.com

Photo Archive

Photo Archive

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