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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Tale of Two Crossings: Medical Aid for Cuba Seized by US Customs in Maine |
Current rating: 0 |
by Let Cuba Live
Email: news (nospam) letcubalive.org (unverified!) |
06 Jul 2001
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Caravan of medical equipment for donation to Cuba stopped at US/Canada border on July 2. Activists respond with civil disobedience. Goods are seized. Struggle continues in Maine. |
A TALE OF TWO CROSSINGS
Medical donations for Cuba seized at US/Canada border July 2
Shortly after noon on Monday, July 2, IFCO/Pastors for Peace US-Friendshipment Caravan #12, with 95 participants and 75 tons of humanitarian aid destined for the people of Cuba, crossed the U.S./Mexico border at Hidalgo, Texas, without incident - no inspections, no questions asked. The participants were informed by U.S. officials that they would be allowed to pass without being questioned.
One hour later at the U.S./Canada border in a remote north woods town called Coburn Gore, Let Cuba Live's medical aid Friendshipment was stopped by U.S. Customs. Let Cuba Live, in partnership with the Caravane d'Amitie Quebec-Cuba, l'Association Quebecois des Amis de Cuba, and IFCO/Pastors for Peace, organized this challenge to send donated medical aid by way of Montreal to Cuba. In a stunning and unexpected move, Customs agents stated that they intended to detain the shipment until a license was applied for under the terms of the U.S. embargo. The participants believe that the U.S. blockade of Cuba is immoral, and further that it is illegal under international law. They have steadfastly refused to comply with embargo-related requirements.
In an act of nonviolent civil disobedience, the 12 participants quickly unloaded boxes off trucks and began to hand-carry them across the border into Canada. In spite of a scuffle with Customs agents, nearly a third of the shipment was moved across the border in this fashion. Canadian supporters were there to help and to receive the boxes. However, much of the medical aid, including valuable hospital and pediatric equipment, including anesthesia machines and neonatal intensive care units, was impounded by customs officials. They also seized two personal vehicles and a trailer.
Following a day-long vigil on July 3 at the customs office, waiting for a directive from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in Washington, word was received that all the "detained" items were now officially "seized." No explanation has yet been offered as to why one caravan was passed through and the other stopped, under the same set of laws and statutes.
Planning and mobilization are underway for a swift response to the seizure. Press conference at 10:00 a.m. Saturday July 7, US Customs, Portland Maine.
CNN affiliate stations in Quebec were on hand with tv cameras. Copies of their coverage is available. CONTACT: Global News in Montreal for 7/2 footage:514/521-4323. Alan Johnson at their Sherbrooke, QC office for 7/3 footage: 819/565-1010.
Media coverage of the incident is ongoing in the U.S. and Canada. Legal representation has been retained, and Let Cuba Live and their partners are planning further action. |
See also:
http://www.letcubalive.org
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