Film and Presentation on the Pastors for Peace 2009 Caravan to Cuba

Peace Action of San Mateo County's special guest will be John Waller, the national coordinator of the US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan, which is operated yearly by the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors for Peace. The caravan has taken people and humanitarian aid to Cuba - as an act of organized non-violent civil disobedience and a challenge to the economic blockade and the virtual ban on travel by US citizens - every year since 1992. The organization has existed since 1967.

Waller will present the film "Bloqueo", which examines the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Filmed during the 2001 Cuba caravan, the 45-minute documentary depicts both caravanistas and Cubans explaining how the U.S. blockade works, and its impact on Cubans and their society's achievements. Waller regards "Bloqueo" as "a good educational film for people new to the issues."

Following the film Waller will give a brief update on Cuba, the blockade and this year's caravan, and then take questions.

John Waller has been active in campaigns for international and local social justice and peace since going to college in the early 1970's. For many years he worked in the British National Health Service as a manager and researcher. Since 1991 his principal campaign focus has been in solidarity with the Cuban revolution and in opposition to the US government's economic blockade. He has visited Cuba 17 times, and written extensively about Cuba's health service.

Waller now lives on the Monterey Peninsula and has been the national coordinator of the Friendshipment Caravan since 2004. Their next caravan to Cuba will be this July; one of the caravan stops will be at 7 PM March 20 in Beck Hall at the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, 300 E. Santa Inez Avenue in San Mateo. The hall is wheelchair accessible.