History Of The Pastors For Peace Friendshipments

The first Friendshipment included 104 volunteers, 44 vehicles and 15 tons of humanitarian aid. The caravan traveled along ten routes through the US with public events and press conferences in 100 cities. The routes converged in Laredo, Texas. where US Customs officials tried to block the departure of the caravan to Mexico. Five people were arrested, all on petty local charges unrelated to the embargo, during a day-long stand-off in which wave after wave of caravanistas attempted to carry medical supplies, bicycles, school supplies and bibles across the border. Washington apparently realized that this scenario -would be unacceptable to the American public. and the caravan proceeded to Cuba - without applying for or accepting a license under the terms of the embargo.

The second Friendshipment grew significantly, partly as a result of the success of the first caravan and partly because of the summer schedule, which encouraged participation of teachers and students. The caravan included nearly 300 volunteers. 94 vehicles and 100 tons of aid. It traveled along 12 US routes with stops in 120 cities. Again US Customs officials blocked the caravan in Laredo. but this time caravanistas carried aid across the border without interference. Apparently, customs officials did not want a repeat of the first encounter.

Most of the 94 vehicles and 100 tons of aid were in Mexico when officials seized a school bus destined for Ebenezer Baptist Church in Havana. The 14 caravanistas on board declared a hunger strike, and after 23 days. officials again backed down. The bus is now in Havana and we will probably have an opportunity to ride on it while we're there. Again. the caravan did not apply for or accept a license.

The third caravan had a few less volunteer drivers than the second (typical of caravans scheduled during Winter months), but by every other measure it was larger and broader. Vehicles traveled along 13 routes starting in Canada and northern US cities with events in 10 cities. A Canadian contingent of about 20 entered the U.S. from Vancouver and Montreal on February 20, Winnipeg on February 20, and Windsor on February 26. Thirteen official representatives of European solidarity groups joined the caravan. About 250 drivers delivered 150 tons of aid, including a satellite dish that was initially denied entry into Mexico by U.S. Customs officials. The dish will be used to establish live communications between the US and Cuba.

The fourth Friendshipment featured U.S. routes traveling from west to east and converging in Washington, D.C. Here 250 caravanistas spent four days participating in the driver orientation, joining the national anti-embargo demonstration and meeting with members of Congress and the administration. The demonstration drew over 6,000 participants and was an overwhelming success. Additional hundreds of supporters joined the caravan as it crossed the U.S.-Canada border on November 17. Again U.S. officials seized a vehicle and tried to confiscate it by towing it to a Customs lot. Determined caravanistas seized the vehicle and the tow truck. After a five hour stand-off. US officials released the vehicle to the custody of caravanistas.

The fifth Friendshipment traveled across the U.S. from West to East arriving in Washington DC to participate in a rally and march against the blockade. The visit to Washington DC proved to be a significant part of this caravan. The visit coincided with debates around the Helms-Burton Bill. While in Washington, participants visited over 140 Congressional and Senatorial representatives. Once again the Caravan crossed into Canada via Buffalo. NY. This time the Caravan received a visit from the Treasury Department threatening to detain the participants in ad hoc "detention centers" if it proceeded as planned. With more resolve than ever the caravanistas arrived at the border ready to challenge the blockade. Upon arrival at the border, the group was informed that they were free to cross and would not have any of the items they were carrying inspected. Not one box was opened. Another victory for the US-Cuba Friendshipments.

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