I think its incredibly fitting that Ithaca and Cuba would want murals of each other, given that their governments are politically indistinguishable.
Posted on 08/02/2006 9:57:17 AM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
A mission to Cuba that should have been close to impossible was made a possibility by a local artist and a traveling caravan of peace activists.
Trumansburg muralist Dan Burgevin recently returned from a journey with a Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, unscathed and, possibly, in good legal standding.
Along with 200 other people, Burgevin broke United States law, which declares it illegal to travel to Cuba without a license acquired from the U.S. Treasury Department. Cuba has been restricted to U.S. travelers since the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961, in which the CIA sponsored an unsuccessful and bloody coup attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro.
When the caravan returned to the U.S., participants received letters from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets and Control, asking each for personal information, - threatening to levy fines for the trip. This was after the group faced considerable tension during a border crossing in Mexico.
"We weren't sure we'd get through," Burgevin said. "We were nervous about the border crossing. We were made to be cautious about it."
The caravan had several buses lined up traveling down the road single-file. But when they reached the border in McAllen, Texas, the buses breezed by without interference, no interruptions, no guns drawn, no hassle Burgevin said the Cubans, many of whom were ambassadors and state officials, welcomed Pastors for Peace with open arms. Big smiles fell across their faces.
"We unloaded the caravan and loaded all packages that we'd collected throughout the U.S., and loaded (them) into containers onto a freighter bound for Havana," he said.
The caravan delivered school buses, computers, medicines and medical supplies - in particular to children with special needs.
As a way to use his artistic abilities as an instrument for building peace, Burgevin brought supplies with him to give to other artists, in the hopes of encouraging them to come together to paint a mural in the future.
"We visited two different institutions. Matansas is in a district, a lovely place like a belt that goes all the way through the North and the South coast," he said. "I gave supplies to a formal art school in Havana."
Burgevin also met with the dean of the school and art teachers. He talked about his idea of having an international group of artists to travel and paint murals. He also hopes to paint a mural of Ithaca at a Cuban site, in hopes a Cuban artist would come here and do the same.
"Everyone thought it was a great idea," Burgevin said. "We have to follow through, establish a team of interested parties both from Cuba and U.S."
Burgevin said he found the Cubans to be compassionate, grounded people.
They understand the basics and live by them, he said: conserving energy, working, marring, raising families, and providing free medical care to citizens.
When asked at the end of the interview if his mission was accomplished, Burgevin replied, "I gave scores of 'Why Not World Peace' cards, much to the delight of the Cubans."
I think its incredibly fitting that Ithaca and Cuba would want murals of each other, given that their governments are politically indistinguishable.
bumping
They understand the basics and live by them ....providing free medical care to citizens.
Irony?
Mark my word. When/if Cuba becomes FREE and a democracy, their 'mercy missions' will cease and they will turn their attention to some other socialist country to visit, such as Venezuela.
These types FLOODED Nicaragua when it went Sandinista/Communist in the 1980s, and also the leftist areas of war zones in El Salvador. Once the area becomes free, however, they suddenly drop their 'interest' in going there on humanitarian missions.
This is a popular misconception. It's legal to travel to Cuba. A U.S. citizen cannot, however, spend money to get there, while there, or while leaving there unless he/she meets certain criteria (i.e. is licensed).
And, if not licensed, it's about 99.9% impossible to comply with U.S. regs regarding money.
As an Ithaca area swing dancer, I am more than gearing up to dance in the streets (or at least on The Commons) to celebrate Fidel's imminent passing. I just need a "The Wicked Commie is Dead" T-shirt.
Of course knowing Ithaca, I suspect only a politbureau-type memorial parade (complete with cigar-filled Volvos) will be availble as an city-promoted event.
More commonly known as a "carnival freak show."
As opposed to Castro's successful and bloodless coup? I suppose I shouldn't have expected any less of the City of Evil...
Is this a one way trip? one can dream.
-ccm
Liberalism is a disease where people think they're ever so much smarter than everyone else, therefore qualified to do all the thinking. (The EU thinks this way vis a vis the US. They should do all the decision making, we're to provide armies, air power, materiel, money, food, whatever else...the list is endless.) This mindset is suicidal, wrong headed, and gets innocent people killed.
dogs bark but the caravan rolls on... is that it??? more MoonBattery from the Peoples DemocRATic Republic of Ithaca EVIL!!!
i understand there is always a toilet paper shortage in Cuba-maybe these intellectual commies can wipe their asses with their graduate degrees while visiting fidel & co.
i understand there is always a toilet paper shortage in Cuba-maybe these intellectual commies can wipe their asses with their graduate degrees while visiting fidel & co.
The Cubans can trade with anyone they want - just not with us.
It's the Cubans (exiles) that get all pissed off if lifting the embargo is ever mentioned.
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