This year's Caravan honors the memory of the IFCO-Pastors for Peace leader Rev. Lucius Walker, who died last year.

A half century has passed, and the United States still tries to block much of Cuba's trade with the rest of the world, limits Cuban access to international banks, and forbids U.S. citizens from visiting the island. Washington feeds millions of dollars annually to government opponents, inside Cuba. The U.S. blockade has caused Cuba $750 billion in economic losses.

U.S. citizens who join the Friendshipments undertake civil disobedience in refusing to seek the required U. S. government approval to send humanitarian aid to Cuba. And they purposefully disobey U.S. travels rules on Cuba.

In joining this year's Friendshipment Caravan, participants will be standing up for peace. They'll learn about a remarkable venture in justice, community building, and human solidarity ninety miles off U.S. shores.

In Cuba, Caravan participants meet scientists, students, musicians, artists, doctors, and teachers.We've just learned about new scholarship help being made available to young people from Massachusetts and Maine wanting to be part of this year's Friendshipment.

Participants have two choices about where to join the Caravan. From July 2 – 16, they can join a mini-caravan heading from New England to the Texas – Mexican border, along the way gathering aid material and holding educational sessions. Or, they can be in McAllen, Texas by July 17 to join in preparations for the overland trip to Tampico, Mexico. Everyone flies from there to Cuba.

Here's the contact information:

To reach Let Cuba Live, call (207) 743-2183.

To talk with Pastors for Peace in New York,
call (212) 926-5757, or email cucaravan@igc.org .