After touring more than 120 US and Canadian cities, the "caravanistas" will travel to
Cuba via Mexico with medical and educational supplies, according to an announcement made by the activists on Wednesday.

Pastors for Peace activists are currently are collecting funds from groups across the US and Canada, to bring humanitarian aid to Cuba as a collective challenge to the US economic blockade and travel ban on Cuba.

The caravan will be on the road in school buses, trucks, and cars. "Five of our buses will be named in honor of the five Cuban political prisoners incarcerated in US prisons," reads the announcement.

The group will spend 8 days in Cuba attending cultural events, and visiting social projects such as organic farms, senior citizens centers and health facilitates
including the Latin American School of Medicine.

The caravanistas will meet and learn from Cubans at every level about the problems caused by the US blockade and the ways they have creatively responded to those difficulties.

This year's caravan will also host the second Hiphop Without Borders Exchange. Many hiphop artists will come with the caravan to participate in an international hiphop festival, and the material aid includes turntables, keyboards and other musical equipment to support Cuban hiphop.

On July 14th, the caravanistas plan to return to the US proudly acknowledging that they have challenged the US travel ban.

(www.periodico26.cu)