Join our delegation to lobby Bklyn Reps on US policy towards Latin America

We submitted signatures requesting meetings to the offices of Representatives Nydia Velazquez, Yvette Clarke and Elliott Engel. Nydia Velazquez is the chair of the Hispanic Caucus. Elliot Engel represents the north-west Bronx as well as parts of Westchester and Sullivan counties. He is chairman of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Relations. We do not yet have appointments. We expect to meet with them, or with their staff, during mid-November.

We will press for active support of HR 2567 which would close WHINSEC/SOA and HR 630, which would restore President Zalaya in Honduras. Reps Velazquez and Clarke are co-sponsors of HR 874, the Freedom to Travel to Cuba bill. Unfortunately, Amendment 375 to HR 3057, which would have reduced military aid to Colombia, has already failed. We know that it is critically important that US facilitation of the violence in Colombia and the failure of the US War on Drugs be exposed in the discussion.

Our delegation of about 8 should include activists as well as constituents. If you live in Bklyn CD 11 (Rep Clarke) or 12 (Rep Velazquez), your participation now is particularly important.

We will get together to develop our ideas for the over-all approach to these meetings in order to make them maximally effective. Then, each person can prepare a presentation, which will also be submitted in a packet of documents. This can begin on-going relationships, holding our elected officials responsible for their votes. Together we will be much more effective.

Saludos solidarios,

Susan,
latinam@brooklynpeace.org

Latin America Committee of Brooklyn for Peace CINEFORO

Thursday, November 12th at 6:30

At the Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture,
53 Prospect Park West near 2nd Street in Park Slope
#2 or #3 train to Grand Army Plaza

More info: latinam@brooklynpeace.org or 718 636 9089


Screening of A MAN FROM TWO HAVANAS the award winning documentary by Vivien Lesnik Weisman about her family’s unexpected experience in Miami and a discussion with John McAuliff of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development about US policy towards Cuba, especially the current travel restrictions and our hopes for change.

Synopsis:
Okay, heres the situation. I was born in Havana. That makes me Cuban. But, I was raised in little Havana, which makes me Cuban-American. However, since I dont see Castro as the root of all evil in the universe, nor would I strangle him with my bare hands given the opportunity, I am a little out of step with my tribe. I always have been. And I really dont care. My dad, on the other hand, does care. He cares a great deal. Back in Havana he was a revolutionary and fought alongside Castro for the freedom of the Cuban people. Then he had a falling out with his old friend and it was Miami, here we come. But his animosity towards Castro did not last and he soon wanted dialogue with the Cuban government. Perhaps, to live in peace. Thats when the shit hit the fan. Bombings, death threats and drive by shootings were a daily occurrence in our home.

But who would do this to us? We were Americans. Surely, it must be the Communists, right? Wrong. My father became the focal point of the anti-Castro terrorists. These are Americans, people, like you and me. Well, not exactly. They were trained by the CIA.

What most Americans dont know is that terrorism in America did not begin on September 11th. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a reign of terror in Miami. There were as many as seven bombings in one day and hundreds per year. The culprits were not Communists. They were Americans. And my family was at the epicenter. Bombs away

Playback Theatre Will Perform Stories About Human Rights

On Friday, November 13th at 7 PM the Village Playback Theatre Company will enact your stories linked to the theme of Human Rights as part of an international project in which Playback companies in 26 countries are going to participate. Playback is a participatory, improvisational theater form in which performers enact experiences told by members of the audience without script or rehearsal and create an event that is unique and magical.

We invite you to the First Presbyterian Church, 124 Henry St near the Clarke St station of the #2 & #3 train on Friday November 13th at 7 PM.

For information Google : Playback Theatre
Email: ptunesco08@gmail.com or call 718 636 9089. Contributions will be most appreciated