USA: Hands Off Cuba and Venezuela!

May 20 Washington, D.C.

May 20 Los Angeles

Download leaflets: www.may20coalition.org

Donate online: www.may20coalition.org

For bus tickets in New York/New Jersey:

For Los Angeles information: (213) 383-9283 or (323) 936-7266

www.iacenterla.org 

WHY WE MARCH

All over the United States the immigrant community, particularly the Latin American immigrants and their supporters have movingly joined in massive demonstrations demanding the legalization of undocumented workers. They represent the millions of people from Central and South America and the Caribbean who have been forced into this country primarily for economic reasons.

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank acting on behalf of multinational corporations, particularly from the U.S., have imposed severe and yes, criminal measures, aimed at destroying the financial sovereignty of these countries. Once the source of earnings is destroyed in their countries, the small farmers and the workers have to find new ways of fending for their families. And that is, coming to the United States.

But two countries are trying to change this skewed balance of forces.

Cuba and Venezuela are bringing the ALBA, the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, a program of trade based on respect and solidarity. They are also trying to bring education and health programs to counter the massive inequalities afflicting the region. This program would be the opposite of the terrible NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement that destroyed Mexico’s economy and forced the emigration of millions of Mexicans in the last 20 years.  

Both countries have tried to not only help the peoples in the region, but the US population as well.

After the Katrina devastation, they offered medical help, rescue teams and other aid that the Bush administration arrogantly rejected in spite of the acute need in the Gulf region.  

This is something that the U.S. government is not forgiving.

The Bush administration has embarked in an assault against both Cuba and Venezuela precisely because what these countries mean to the rest of Latin America, a ray of hope. It has mounted a campaign of hostility and defamation against both presidents, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez.  

This administration was involved in the attempted coup of April 2002 that briefly ousted President Chavez, who was brought back to power by the mobilization of millions of Venezuela people who wanted their democratically elected president back in office. It has attempted against Cuban sovereignty through many hostile measures including the forced separation of families. Cuban Americans who have relatives in the island cannot visit them as frequently as they would like. Since the last restrictions, travel has decreased 80%. 

It is also unlikely that the U.S. government forgives Bolivian president Evo Morales for his recent action on behalf of the Bolivian people, the nationalization of gas and oil. In fact president Morales has also just signed the program of ALBA with Cuba and Venezuela, becoming part of the vanguard, along Cuba and Venezuela, of the Latin American challenge to U.S. agenda of exploitation and domination of the region. This will automatically place Bolivia in the camp target of U.S. hostilities.

The U.S. will not easily give up its “sphere of influence” south of Rio Grande as was dictated by the Monroe Doctrine. It is increasing its military presence though both Plan Colombia and military bases and troops deployment in several Latin American countries, working incessantly also through covert actions to turn back the uprisings of the Latin American masses. But the people of Latin America are determined to take their future in their own hands away from U.S. control.

The People in the U.S. can Stop the Aggression

It is very crucial that the people in the United States loudly and clearly oppose any kind of U.S. intervention in these countries or the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean and show support and solidarity to the struggling peoples of the region.

Many groups nationally and internationally have joined to respond to these attacks and defend the right of these countries to develop free of US intervention. In this country we have enormous problems that need to be resolved and not embark in more wars abroad. That opportunity will be on May 20^th, in the national demonstration that will be held in Washington, DC and in Los Angeles to say: Hands Off Venezuela and Cuba!

If you cannot attend, please consider buying a ticket for a person who cannot afford it.  

Donations are also much needed to help cover the cost of mailing, telephone and printing. Please send a contribution, any amount helps. 

Online donations at www.may20coalition.org