From Australia to Cuba with Love 2024

Since 1996, the Australian government has voted annually at the United Nations General Assembly with the overwhelming majority of countries to pass a resolution demanding an end to the inhumane decades-long United States’ economic blockade of Cuba, which has been continuing for more than six decades. Yet, there is still no sign of relief from the US government, in fact sanctions have been increased under the Biden administration. The effects of the blockade are dire for the Cuban people, but they also have consequences for many other countries.

Economic ties and trade with Cuba remain severely restricted for all countries with close links to the US. This extraterritorial reach of the US blockade is designed specifically to isolate Cuba from the rest of the world, cripple the Cuban economy, and undermine its sovereignty. Ongoing food and power shortages, along with scarce building materials and other basic infrastructure, have been causing extreme hardship for the Cuban people.

The extraterritorial reach of the blockade also impacts on Australia’s ability to trade with Cuba. This has been recognised by the Australian government. A motion calling for the end of the US blockade was introduced into the Australian Parliament earlier in February this year and received bipartisan support. Members of the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society are looking forward to it being listed for debate and voted on.

Through campaigns such as From Australia to Cuba with Love, we join an international movement of solidarity with Cuban people, raising funds and supplying a wide range of materials and life-saving medications, and lobbying our political leaders at all levels of government to put into practice what they vote for in the United Nations General Assembly. Over the previous two years of our campaign From Australia to Cuba with Love, we have raised over $35,000 and successfully sent medical supplies to help treat Cuban children suffering from cancer.

Once again, in 2024, the Australia–Cuba Friendship Society invites you to join us in collectively covering the distance between our two countries, choosing from a wide range of activities that are fun and flexible, and can be done individually or with a group of people. You can participate by cycling, swimming, walking or doing any activity that can be measured. Supporters can also sponsor participants or make a donation.

By joining in this campaign, you will help raise funds for the ‘Agro Vivo’ urban agricultural project in Playa Giron to strengthen food security, help raise awareness and show solidarity with the people of Cuba. We encourage you to wear the campaign t-shirt when you are doing your selected activity. You’ll be surprised what a great conversation starter it can be. Along the way some of us will be meeting representatives from parliament, peace organisations, NGO’s, political parties and business groups. We’ll be distributing information, writing letters, and advocating for an end to the blockade.

We invit

From Australia to Cuba with Love 2024

June 1^st to July 26^th

Join the campaign to end the US blockade of Cuba and raise funds for the Agro Vivo agricultural project

Register here

Brisbane launch, 10 am June 1st, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, QUT end of Palm Avenue.

We look forward to seeing you there.

*Please check your state branch for local activities –

Adelaide: bhhall43@proton.me

Brisbane: info@acfs-brisbane.org

Canberra: robparne77@gmail.com

Melbourne: delloram@hotmail.com