FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday,
September 16, 2002 Contact: Brian
Alexander (202) 321-CUBA (2822)
MEDIA ADVISORY:
Cuban-Americans Converge on Capitol Hill to Support Travel and Trade with
Cuba
Washington, D.C., September 15, 2002 – On
September 18th Cuban Americans from across the USA will converge on
Capitol Hill to support Congressional votes for travel and trade with
Cuba. In an historic and
unprecedented gathering, hundreds of Cuban-Americans from Miami and New Jersey
will join others from across the United States on Capitol Hill on September 18th
to support freedom to travel and an end to restrictions on humanitarian trade
with Cuba.
Specifically, the Cuban Americans will bring
support to language on the House Treasury and Postal Appropriations bill that
cuts funds for the enforcement of all travel and humanitarian trade restriction
to Cuba, including licensing, as well as enforcing the cap on money sent to
family and friends on the island.
WHAT: Press conference
WHEN: 11:15 am, Wednesday, September 18
WHERE: The west entrance
of the Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC.
WHO: Participants include
members of the Congressional Cuba Working Group such as representatives JoAnn
Emerson (R-MO) and Bill Delahunt (D-MA) along with Cuban American leaders: Alfredo Durán of the Cuban Committee for
Democracy, Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo of Cambio Cubano, Delvis Fernández Levy of the
Cuban American Alliance, and Silvia Wilhelm of Puentes Cubanos. A
major initiative for a new approach toward Cuba will be unveiled.
Following the press conference, in the afternoon
multiple briefings will be held in the Rayburn and Dirksen buildings. In particular, Florida constituents will
hold briefings with their Senators and Representatives. The day’s activities
will conclude with a gathering at the Supreme Court steps and final remarks by
Attorney Antonio Zamora, President of the US/Cuba Legal Forum.
“The U.S. Congress
and the majority of Americans strongly support trade and travel with Cuba. Now, with Cuban-Americans taking the
courageous step of petitioning the U.S. government for changing the embargo, it
is the strongest indication yet that the tide of public opinion has shifted
against this bankrupt foreign policy,” said
Ambassador Sally Grooms Cowal, president of Cuba Policy Foundation.
The Cuban American Advocacy Day is coordinated by a number of
Cuban American organizations that include:
Cambio Cubano, Cuban American Alliance Education Fund, Cuban Committee
for Democracy, Puentes Cubanos, and the US/Cuba Legal Forum. The event is also supported by the Dante
Fascell Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Fundación Amistad, Cuban
American Democratic Council, Pan American Coalition, and a host of other
national and Miami-based organizations.
For more information, please contact Cuba Policy Foundation.
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