New peace shipment staging for Cuba trip
- Submitted by: admin
- United States
- Personalities
- 07 / 05 / 2010
TRUMANSBURG -- Some Trumansburg residents are sending a school bus filled with supplies and volunteers to Cuba as part of the 21st annual Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan.
Dan Burgevin will drive the bus, which he repainted and decorated with a mural incorporating social and political themes.
"It's a peace march. It's about revolution and peace," Burgevin said. This will be Burgevin's fourth trip to Cuba with Pastors for Peace.
The Friendshipment Caravan comprises many caravans that make their way through Canada, the United States and Mexico collecting donations of supplies before boarding a ship to Cuba.
"I can't tell you what it feels like to be an artist and a diplomat at the same time. It is a great, great honor," said Burgevin. "It feels like recharging my batteries."
The school bus, which cost $2,500, was funded by philanthropist Alan Vogel and a matching donation by the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival.
"It's a great opportunity to try to do something constructive," said Vogel.
For caravan organizer Cris McConkey, the journey is as much a political statement and a cultural outreach as a humanitarian mission.
"The goal is to help the people in Cuba, and to educate the people in the United States to change the policy toward Cuba," said McConkey, referring to the ongoing U.S. trade embargo against the small island nation. "We're doing this in solidarity with the Cuban people."
Once the caravan has reached Cuba, the supplies will be distributed under the auspices of the Ecumenical Distribution Committee, a Cuban religious organization.
According to caravan organizers, the EDC operates independently from the Cuban government, and supplies often end up at schools and health clinics.
In the past, the caravan has run into difficulty crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. On one occasion, medical computers were seized by U.S. customs agents.
"It's very important that we as Americans visit out neighbors and learn about them," Burgevin said. Burgevin and the bus are currently in Toronto, collecting donations.
The caravan will pass through Ithaca Thursday for a public celebration on the Cayuga Street corner of Dewitt Park nearest to the Presbytarian Church. To arrange a donation, contact Cris McConkey at 387-9830.
Dan Burgevin will drive the bus, which he repainted and decorated with a mural incorporating social and political themes.
"It's a peace march. It's about revolution and peace," Burgevin said. This will be Burgevin's fourth trip to Cuba with Pastors for Peace.
The Friendshipment Caravan comprises many caravans that make their way through Canada, the United States and Mexico collecting donations of supplies before boarding a ship to Cuba.
"I can't tell you what it feels like to be an artist and a diplomat at the same time. It is a great, great honor," said Burgevin. "It feels like recharging my batteries."
The school bus, which cost $2,500, was funded by philanthropist Alan Vogel and a matching donation by the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival.
"It's a great opportunity to try to do something constructive," said Vogel.
For caravan organizer Cris McConkey, the journey is as much a political statement and a cultural outreach as a humanitarian mission.
"The goal is to help the people in Cuba, and to educate the people in the United States to change the policy toward Cuba," said McConkey, referring to the ongoing U.S. trade embargo against the small island nation. "We're doing this in solidarity with the Cuban people."
Once the caravan has reached Cuba, the supplies will be distributed under the auspices of the Ecumenical Distribution Committee, a Cuban religious organization.
According to caravan organizers, the EDC operates independently from the Cuban government, and supplies often end up at schools and health clinics.
In the past, the caravan has run into difficulty crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. On one occasion, medical computers were seized by U.S. customs agents.
"It's very important that we as Americans visit out neighbors and learn about them," Burgevin said. Burgevin and the bus are currently in Toronto, collecting donations.
The caravan will pass through Ithaca Thursday for a public celebration on the Cayuga Street corner of Dewitt Park nearest to the Presbytarian Church. To arrange a donation, contact Cris McConkey at 387-9830.
By Jon Christian •[email protected] • July 4, 2010, 7:55 pm
Source: http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/
Comments