For people looking towards and fighting for a better
world, Cuba has long been a beacon of hope. In
today’s uncertain times, while a global pandemic is
being mishandled by the governments of the U.S.,
Canada, and other capitalist countries, Cuba again
stands as an example and a leader. For many years
Cuba has built a world-renowned healthcare system
that puts people’s health and well-being over profits.
As Covid-19 spread, Cuba quickly began sending
medical brigades to countries in need. Months later,
Cuba has over 3000 medical professionals in 27
countries around the world.
As Cuba solidarity activists know well, when
Cuba extends assistance beyond their borders
it is not because they have an excess of resources
– it is because Cuba operates on a principle of
revolutionary internationalism and considers it their
duty to help others in need. It is times like these
where we can imagine how much more Cuba would
be capable of without the U.S. blockade, which has
intensified and targeted much needed shipments
of medical supplies in recent months. With this
in mind, in late March, the Canadian Network on
Cuba (CNC) launched the Campaign to Support
Cuba’s Contribution to the World’s Fight Against
COVID-19. This has been both a fundraising
campaign and a campaign to spread solidarity
with Cuba and awareness of Cuba’s incredible
contribution to the fight against Covid-19.
On May 9, the CNC organized an online
webinar titled “Shining the Light on Cuba’s
Medical Solidarity.” The event was chaired by
two executive members of the CNC, Tamara
Hansen, coordinator of Vancouver Communities
in Solidarity with Cuba, and Liz Hill, president
of the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association
– Toronto. The speakers included: her Excellency
Josefina Vidal, the Cuban Ambassador to Canada;
Niki Ashton, NDP member of Parliament for
Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, Manitoba; Dr. John
Kirk, Cuban researcher, and Professor, Dalhousie
University; Dr. Isaac Saney, co-chair of the CNC
and Professor, Dalhousie University; and Dr. Keith
Ellis, chair of the CNC fundraising campaign
and Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto.
This great event boosted the CNC fundraising
campaign’s efforts, which has raised $55,000 as of
September 1, 2020 to support Cuba’s global efforts
to fight Covid-19.
July 26 is celebrated as Cuba’s National Rebellion
Day, and here in Canada, this day was
also marked by a webinar
organized by the CNC. An
event was co-hosted by two
CNC executive members,
Tamara Hansen and Julio Fonseca, who was also
representing the Association of Cuban Residents
of Canada. Speakers included her Excellency
Ambassador Josefina Vidal; Luis Morlote, Cuban
Parliamentarian and President of the Cuban Union
of Writers and Artists (UNEAC); Mimut Ra
Re Nuhu, co-chair for the National Network on
Cuba (NNOC) in the U.S.; and Colette Lavergne,
spokesperson of la Table de concertation et de
solidarité Québec – Cuba. The event also featured
cultural performances by Augusto Enriquez, worldrenowned Cuban singer and composer; El Jones,
who shared her powerful poetry; Kelly White, a
Coast Salish Elder, activist, and organizer; and
Sangre Morena, a dynamic musical duo.
For upcoming events and actions by the CNC and
other Cuba solidarity groups in Canada please visit
www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca or www.vancubasolidarity.com or follow on Facebook @CanadianNetworkOnCuba
or Twitter & Instagram
@cdnntwrkoncuba
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