Join the Venceremos Brigade

The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign is proud to forward out this announcement from the Venceremos Brigade; a project nearly 40 years old, which has dedicated its existence to educating and dispelling the lies the US government spreads about Cuba!

JOIN THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONTINGENT OF THE VENCEREMOS BRIGADE!!

40th Anniversary Venceremos Brigade - Join It!

Applications for the 40th Anniversary Contingent of the Venceremos Brigade - July 19-August 3, 2009 - are now available.

Send your name and address to
vbrigade@gmail.com

40 Years of Solidarity with the Cuban Revolution!
40 Years of Friendship with the Cuban People!
40 Years of Defiance of the U.S. Economic Blockade and the Travel Ban!

40 Years of Love and Struggle!

Much has changed since the Venceremos Brigade was created by the U.S. left in 1969.
But our vision and commitment remain the same as we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and our own 40th anniversary!

What is the Venceremos Brigade?

Formed in 1969 to express solidarity with the Cuban Revolution, the Venceremos Brigade is a unique educational project that has sent thousands of people to Cuba. Our goal is to give people from the U.S. an opportunity to learn first hand about Cuba, its people, and its revolution, and to link the Cuban peoples' struggle with our struggles here at home.

“I believe with this we are beginning a great movement. I believe that this creates the basis for a tremendous development – which will have a huge impact on the whole world – in which the youth of the United States can help other countries. In the same manner that we will have to go to other countries to help them, with the same selflessness and enthusiasm that others have come here, and as our comrades have gone wherever it is necessary.”
- Fidel to the second contingent of the Venceremos Brigade, 1970

Who are the Brigadistas?

Brigadistas are active in a broad range of movements for social change. We include high school and college students and workers for peace, housing, health care, education, labor and cultural rights. Our contingents are multi-racial, and range in age from 16 to 90. As part of our ongoing work in Cuba and the United States, we are committed to fighting racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination and to recognizing and respecting the differences among ourselves.

What does the Brigade do in Cuba?

The purpose of the Brigade trips to Cuba is to enable U.S. activists to have meaningful exchanges with Cubans and to experience the day to day realities of Cuban life. We live and work alongside Cubans for two weeks each year. Our program in Cuba includes:

- Agricultural or construction or factory work
- Visits to schools, factories, clinics and hospitals
- Musical and other cultural programs
- Informal visits and discussions with Cubans

The Venceremos Brigade has never asked for permission (i.e. a 'license') from the U.S. government to travel to Cuba. Since 2003, we have joined with Pastors for Peace in openly proclaiming our constitutional and human right to travel to Cuba in our Travel Challenges.

Join us for this historic contingent.
Apply now!
Space is limited.
Send your name and address to vbrigade@gmail.com for your application

Excerpt from Yuri Kochiyama's autobiography in which she wrote a chapter on her experience with the 19th Contingent of the Venceremos Brigade in 1988:

"All in all, our two weeks in Cuba was an extensive learning experience of a post revolutionary building era of rectification and progression that would impact our own community work when we returned to the U.S.

We found the Cuban people not just work intensive but life intensive and joyful. The national psyche of Cubans was best manifested when the Brigadistas were invited by Poder Popular to a rousing block party in the town of Santa Cruz, in Jibacoa. The hospitality, generosity, openness, and gaiety of the party were earthy and spirited, and the Latin/Caribbean and Afro Cuban music and dance was plainly endemic to life and culture in Cuba.

The Julio Antonio Mella Camp (named after the Cuban martyr) was the home away from home for the 149 North Americans that made up the Brigade. The contingent felt sorrowful in leaving, but grateful for an unforgettable and heartwarming experience. We expressed our sentiments in unison many times, hoping the echoes of our shouting "Cuba! Cuba! Cuba! Venceremos te saluda!" would reverberate until the next brigade arrived. Recuerdo siempre."

Venceremos Brigade
PO Box 5202
Englewood, NJ 07631-5202
email: vbrigade@yahoo.com
voicemail: 212-560-4360
website: www.venceremosbrigade.org