WEEKLY Utah’s Independent Newspaper + November 17, 1993 « Vol. 10 No. 24 + Free Yengich The Price of a City Council Seat pd Amanda Spousal abusers put down that knife pA NewsFront Leavitt fights for Appointee rights. p.6 aNovember 17, 1990 Pvt Eye Weely » 9 CUBA SI, BLOKAO NO Cuba Yes, Blockade No AMERICANS RISK JAIL 8 PROTEST U.S. EMBARGO OF CUBA AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS untanned tours in the Cancun airport are watching a crowd of ‘more than a hundred Americans clapping, chanting, and eaerying signs. Prowstors from all over the United Stats are ere to mise hell about anise ‘loie to their hearts, But what could they be objecting to at this Caribbean rest-top forte over-indalgen, a lack of cerveza or saan loon? ‘The banners woud tell he wurst that these people are ound fr “Cate or Bus.” ‘And he sign will rove prophetic, for thse “American etzes wll soon commit at of civil disobedience, and it wil ead to their ‘Another indication oftheir destination Js the Sovie made jt siting outside. The roesors had already paid fora fight to Cuba, which in self is aking US. law ‘ominously titled. “Trading With the Enemy.” For this group, breaking that law will become ar of their aly schedule Aboard the Might, you can immediatly teil is Cuban Fit comes the music, hen the gills, and finaly free drinks. No ear ‘hones available on Cubana Aiines ree fen soll down te alse plying musical Insrumens, singing a rousing version of “Guananamera™ ‘When the plane touched down in Havana, cheers went up from the American rotesors, A man witha goatee and a child latching ont his hi, knelt on the tarmac ‘and kissing it, saying, "We're inaly here” (Ger Bre at ey whe and aga “Marijosa flowers. Most ofthe Americans ‘as Cuban Immigration officials to stamp their passpons. They ext board brand-new “Mercedes Benz buses with & motoreyle police escon. These protestors against US. travel reatzion to Cuba ae weaed well, for they hold a key 19 Cuba's economic survival ‘These Freedom to Travel protestors come from diferent walks of life—a psy- chologst, film maker, a construction ‘worker, and even a businessman. But many Hist heir occupations as peacemaker, sci ctvs, organize, pilosopher, and peace and justice organizer. They enjoy a com ‘monalty of expecence involving politcal action and a history of standing up for what's right. No Republicans, business its, or high hools, his isa "Biskenstock Bigadc” of well intentioned blockade runners. Many come from the San FFrancico area, and about half have ale been wo Cuba and are now in “solidariy” withthe country and its cause. These ‘eowbacksw the "60s have proses expen- nce thas being wught o a younger gen- ‘ation thas ls onthe ip. ce ame Tuco eet wee eo aman i ‘at (Coban forbsins plese. "975: Amend rome US, sh sly tad with Cb Becaae of pes from reg governments 983s Torecall aw stops Organized by the Freedom 10 Travel Campaign, protest leaders focus on the issue of the constitutional right of ‘Americans wo ave the world. An indepen ‘in ol, they want © make up their own minds about otber counties. They Fel that ‘world of increasing tension and stlity reds to be understood frm a prson-o- eraon vantage point. They say it's not jus. fright, bat a esponsibiliy to communica fazross borders. This idealistic group Telioves any law that prevents citizens from harmonizing in the global village ‘sould its be owlaved. Pam Montanaro of San Francisco is as yoten and calm as you'd expecta mother ‘fsx to be. But undereath her peaceful ‘exterior, she's deeply commitied to this «cause. Herein Cuba, she and oer poies- tors seem wiling 10 take a risk to affect change. Spending a dime in Cuba could fund them in jail, and yet they appear happy to do il "Many of these people ‘ame from the ine tation of ranting Up ‘gins unjust laws and ping herbie {hth line to move usin a more humane ‘ézetion,” Montanaro says. One member cf the group says he took his cues on rotating unjust laws from the Boston Tea Party. Another equates this to the Civil Rights Movement where people. like ‘Marin Later King Jr. were jailed 0 bring tention unjust laws. “These 180 American protestors are out to break down the U.S. tae embargo wall between Cua and tir own county. In the proces, they risk 10 years in jail and a ‘$250,000 fine, It's symbolic protest of ‘the embargo (se sidebar, "A History ofthe Embargo") and specifically, ravelrestic- tions that prevent most Americans from ‘entering ‘Cuba. ‘The 1993 Cuban Democracy Act (known asthe Torricelli bill) further esis any American, or US. corporations, from doing business with Cuba ‘Journalists and profesional researchers ‘ae allowed to go, but he ordinary tourist ‘cannot, Some Cuban Americans with rela tives sil in Cuba have recenly goten pe mission to vst. But tere i oly one coun try in the world where U. S. citizens may not go ona regular basis, and that’s Cuba, “Many, if not most, Americans believe this resriction ia Coban law. 15 not 1's notin going 10 Cuba, but the spending of meney there that breaks the law overseen by the U.S. Treasury Department. The Act states: “Spending money in connection with our, business or recreational trips ‘rohbited” Ifa person or group were ost- ‘2 ad pai for by Cubans, or their gover- rent, that woul ercumvent the lav. But tiven Cuba's curent economic condition10 + Piva Eye Weakly # November 17,1993 (soe “Fidel: Commanding Over Criss Private Eye Weetly, Nov. 10, 1993) nikely that many groups wil be hosted “Thousands of Americans have visited ‘Cuba illegally from other countries, such as “Mexico and Canada, and haven't had their passpors stamped in Cuba, Without the Stamp, is rare that Immigration oF Cstoms agents will ask if you've been to (Cuba. But i they chock your bag and find Cian contraband i, along with your pas ort, will be seized for evidence ina prose ution. One fisherman from Texas who ‘organized wips to Cuba as been fined and imprisoned for breaking this lav. "Many Americans have posed at jout- alist or tae education-orented rip ed by a tour company—a visit oa few muse tums, watch a performance, tend lecture, then call e"esearch,” ‘The Travel Challenge protesrs were having none of tat. Tey to Ue author ties before they left thax ey were spend Jing $85,000 for afr, rooms, food and ttansporaion. “Tourism and modern hotels a on the rise in Cuba, and the industry is geting preferential ireatmentfeom the govern ‘ment. While Cubans endure a serous fod shortage and power blackous, ote! guess enjoy ample fod and electricity. Aircon domed buses receive as to car sghsers round while te sweating populace pels bicycles. ‘With the posible excepion of Cuban _govemment leaders, protestors, once inside the county, enjoyed sadardof living much higher than that of any Cuban Proesors were breaking the US. kw ym boialy a8 tourists, but didn't have wo su fer through the marginal existence of Cubans. Here's why: Hundreds of thousands of isos tring in an excess of $250 milion 8 year, and that’s hard currency Cubs needs to buy overseas goods, Tourism has ocome Cuba's second-Largest industry and foreign investors (Ine United Stats except a) are building world-class reson. Cuba has sugar and nickel to sel, bu its most important natural resources could be 200 Bob Got Photo by Robert Guzy When mos pepe gare chasing gf ‘a down farway, 76er Dob alls ‘monemes. Ande ong it from Ula. ‘om 5ys hing to tala peace with js tie around the weld only takes couple of tandet hoor es thn ach er, He se rth que comico, "How can you nt work Untarian Chere pir Weed Wie I when he hped smuggle Jewish inlets ut of Nah Germany. A ow hundred peace marches Ine oud hms protesting car esting In Neva Then, il went on the es ef thre peace was through te Soviet Unk. "1 ‘ould ce we wouldn't havea problemen pes lete peopl vl, ut goverment tour 0 reorient se, 50 Ne ound apace to pt hice with the Pre or Pesos ‘ata. They sed peace workers to 20 con Trt to ork ith ea zens “We ed jst two people a work na town an spp = Tal projec ch a teaching ge women fe Tamales howto finds job nd rive fn ‘ran esioement We ont try overt he Peoples have misonarles warming ver Heplce” ‘Ge ga instved wt the Paster o eace caravan to Coa ths pat Jal He ae i fren wee ging toa od frm revise trp to Can" get led vp eomeins” Gat ys, “noah 054 1 tine to staghten national media Dr. Lacie Walker, head of Pastor's or Pec, sud later. Gail ees eho a een Kota." the rs wa iced ere were 1 om br ‘We are just er people ts into ni rte ES yearall Abe Gol wit oe of the pope He sere through swaering Raps eat In the bus esas, Beeas he wan 2 Shear canscence es 2 pounds in 3 dyson that gid et Bt T wanted to bees I ad one everthing could to ep the people of oa" jin etber acti Son the "Flendspment “aravan re 19 900 pope a9 ede and ‘ne tracktralle ll of supple desined for ‘hrc ear Cab Ba rt they ad to {st pst US, Costoms at Larrea ares ‘Crt ad members of he comes tg throb, bt leave the metic spp in Unled States. Goff an he Pass refuse “Sn couple handed of wx hana te ‘medic supple ove the order i 17 degree fora person my age was eon, ‘Abe Golokow ‘The ve CNN broadeass and newspaper tra aly cased he Casto fa 0 in. The no Fama Lille Veto Shia andthe spp made to Caba by ship. agents cars "The federal gets hadi boxed {in they tok the a ot of he rer nd ples thebaler? Gass "Tae agents under ders rom Wasgen, ‘what the hd The rople on he bu {4 what they ha Yo ty elles hanger ‘i I became known a Toe Lite Yeo dame for Cabs. ‘oft folowed the supplies oa hospital ‘tye Cuan are warm human bigs. Tey ve ‘bee wing Lo mend Fences, butte govern ‘mens gt the a.” Gaff wants oo bach Don’t be weekend. We have fun Parties & Activities every lonely for this Holiday Season, JOIN UTAH'S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL, ‘SINGLES ORGANIZATION beaches and accommodating natives. I's ‘unfrusat that te natives sue while he tourists ar courted. US. tourists can’ us credit cards, but dollars are widely and enthusiastically aceeped. doesn't tke aot of dollars for ‘his Caribbean vacation, Round ip afc from Mexico or Canad, a room for even nights, three meals a day, open bar and _uided tours cost $680 10 $800, "There's something a litle bit more exciting about coming hor,” says Reggie Pankston from Bulalo, New York, by Way ‘of Toronto, Canada, He drove over the U.S, border and hopped on a charter 19 Havana. “The food ain't so hot, but the Imusic and the people moe than make up for tat. And besies, it would of cost more 1o g0 © Miami” he added. He has a pag. ‘matic approach to breaking the law. “It's Cony against dhe lw you get caught,” he says with a tn ‘Stores don’t offer moch merchandise besides cigars, rum, tshies and posters. But the Travel Challengers went out of their way to Find new ways to trade with the enemy. One man side was going to committe crime of paying fora haircut ‘They emed cars, bought some at and no fone seemed 9 mind breaking the fa. “I the isu is trading with the enemy, well, the Cukan people are not my enemy," says ‘business man from Minnesota. “And they're not the enemy ofthe United States, thas very lear to me now.” ‘The majority of tourists come from ‘Canal anc Europe and simply bask in he ‘sin near the Tropic of Capricom. Donald Connelly is “on holiday with the wife and loving i” This short and sturdy coal incr from central Briain says he came partly because ofthe US. embargo. “I'll encour age all my fens to come hee it's only 'o stop the big ball,” Connelly says. “To blockade a smaller country and stop food and medicine, why. you ought to be ashamed “The embargo—and the restrictions against foreign subsidiaries wading with CCuba—is itself against intematonal lv, (Connelly and his countrymen fee. Britain and other members of the European Common market believe the embargo infringes on their sovereignty by going ‘beyond US. boundaries 1 restrict busi- "The United Nations held vole on he repeal ofthe economic embargo this yea, and 59 countries sided with Cuba. Only Utah: Best Selection of Gift Wrap * Bows * Ribbans * Boxes Tel: (801)485-8882 Fax: (801)485-3496 2755 So. State St. cater DIRESTELES @ cers aad Open for business 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Week Days 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturdays ACTIVITIES + PARTIES * SOCIALS + TRIPS CALL 266-4939 OR VISIT 495 EAST 4500 SOUTH SUITE #250Israel and Romania voted withthe USS. “Theres abesinod ‘What guides this solitary US. policy, now 34 years old? Politicians supporting the embargo point to human-rights vos tions in communist Cuba, which have Been ‘documented. The problem wih vat toa: soning i i's inconsistency, Hundreds of politcal opponents tave “sappeared” of thon madre in El Salvador, yet there's no embargo against that country, and the US. supponed its regime. China enjoys a “most-favored-nation” wading status with the United Sues, yet abuses human rights ‘on large scale while selling weapons to thindsorid enemies of US. foreign policy. “Why can we travel to China, the Feygest communist county in the word?” asks Medea Benjamin, a leader of the ‘Travel Chllenge, “Why can we now tavel to Viearam, communist country we were at war with? Why could we travel to he Soviet Union atthe height of the Cold ‘War? Why are we continuing this one Cold War policy when teri no Cold War?™ ‘The Cabens have polled ther miliary suppont out of Angola and the “Red treat” hasbeen voted out of Nicaragua. Thee are no Rusian troops in Ciba, The Cuban mil itary reportedly numbers about 150,000 ‘regulars with 115,000 reserves, and offen sive weapons are rare. President Fidel ‘Casro recently compared his country (0 David, nd the US. to Goliath. “Twelve- ‘year-old Davi had ony hs slingshot and barely came up 10 Goliath's knee," Casto oseribes. "But our adversary isan even taller Goliath. This David can't each his ankle," he sys. So, if he US, is alone ints embargo, and Cuba pores no security test, what [ops up the policy? The answer may be found ina group of Caban exes who Bave ‘more poliical experience than the Travel (Challenge proestors. he flyers showed up in the ‘Cuban section of Miami shorty before protestors lft the cour- ty. wamed, “Danger, Visits 0 Cuba, Waring.” It cotined in Spanish, “The organization of the Cuban existance, the Caban people an the Alpha "66 Underground cells inside Cuba sue the following warning: Given the island's imernal siuaion and de imminent fll of tho eine, cis dangroas for any free er to visit the island and isa risk to their ig” The lyer warmed that alas aginst tours ar increasing because Vstors po vide dollar for granny. “We consider for ign and Cuban tourss waitors and they will bo the objct of ur attacks." These auucks, kidnappings, and robberies are ‘planed by Alpha 66 member inside Cuba stating November 27. Coban turism off clas have no reports of organized sacks The extremist para-military group revealed itself at a press conference. “Tourists are traveling to Cuka and enjoy November 17, 1993» Piva Eye Weekly © 11 ‘uum fom visting Cuba wil be gets ‘The FBI plans to monitor the group's activities. Anyone can legally make idle teats, but the right-ving Coban exiles have a history of backing them up with olenee and terri inside the US. In its first repor criticizing the U.S. govemment, America’s Watch condemned ‘our government for allowing abuse of ‘human righis in Florida by right-wing Cuban groups The repo is rial ofthe United States for “encouragement and “It’s only against the law if you get caught.” ~ Reggie Pankston, ‘American tourist in Cuba. Jose Mundo aady used his constuction ‘experience to hp bul th park {or his Cube ens foe ing beter food and a beter lifesyle than CCuans themselves," said Alpha 66's leader, Humberto Perez in a New York Times 00. “Aipha 66 i¢ a Cuban exile group that bas operated in Florida since 1961 and car- ried out commando raids against Cuba, ‘The US. government looked he ober way And the CIA covertly supported these ‘groups. Bul 8 new law bans attempts to ‘overthrow another country by launching ‘ds rom our shores, Apa 66 also says Cuban exiles who NICK YENGICH MEMORIAL FREEDOM OF THE PRESS 10th Annual Five Kilometer Run Saturday, December 4t ‘Copperton Park, Copperton, Utah Race starls at. 11:00. Post-race Bake Sale at the Copperton Methodist Church. Proceed willbe dense The ich ret Contr For information cll 355-0320, ask or Ro, Kah, Vonessa, or Cm. funding of groups tht resict freedom of expression.” An example they cited was government funding of the Cuban- ‘American National Foundation (CANF), led by Jorge Mas Canosa, The CANF ‘opposes any negotiation or contact with (Caso, Iehas alo een inked to the use of violence and theeats to repress groups ‘working o improve lations with Cuba Canosa bogan his long and storied carer Figg aginst Casto atthe Bay of. Pigs invasion, and members of his grOup hve worked fr the CIA in its ates to asassinate Casuo, Canosa has baen 3 sup poner and fund-raiser for bth Repoblican Presidents Reagan and Bush. Canosa worked for Bush whea he headed the CLA. While political observers originally ‘thought President Clinton might be more exible on Cuban ise, b's favored co tinung he embargo, Early inthe preside: tial campaign, whe stugaling to maintain his slight lead over Paul Tsongas, Cinion ‘went t9 Miami at the invitation of Canosa fd tended a CANF fund isc. “1 have ead tho Torricelli bil and I like i Clinton anounced. Clinton must have also liked the $275,000 the CANF gave him that day. The CANF has also helped eect two Cuban-American Republicans, bouh opposing relaxed travel restictions, wo the US. Howse of Represeaatves ‘Americans who want normal restions wonder how the CANE can wield such inluenee. “The US. policy hasbeen held hostage by a smal faction of the Cuban ‘American community who want to see a continuation of Cold War policies,’ Benjamin sid at a press confererenee in Havana. "We don't think it's a policy held by the USS. population in general.” She believes the tide will tur wen those who have been to Cuha get organized and sat lobbying. you drive east out of Havana you can't lp but sce Alama. ‘The huge housing develop- ment was one ofthe fst bat fle the revolution. The five-story apart ‘ment strates have that boring Soviet achitecural style that Cuba is plagued with, To add more meaning to the trip, Freedom 19 Travel protestors firs though of helping at a factory or farm, Thisissim- ilae to the Venceremos Brigade of ‘Americans who come each year and cut sugucane wih the workor at harvest ine, But they hiton a beter idea: Wry not raise some money and, with the Cubans, bail pace park ina show of solidariy? The plan was to turn an open space boxwoon bildngs ino park with swings and wees, Jose Mundo had some const tion experience inthe United States, 30 he vas pat in charge. Only the plans changed when he gol 19 Cuba, “They wanted areal park with a stage for performances,” “Mundo sys. "Then it grew into a place for the older folks to play dominos, and a Place forthe eonagers to hang ou Instead of hanging out at the beach, ‘American voluners dug, cared, havled ‘an! pound —all ou inthe bot sun. Chip Post, an aioaey rom Bolinss, California, isa elatvely tll man. “So they handed mea big slodge hammer to break cement to build a each,” Post sys. “Fostnstely, there werent enough ols o go around, so you goa chance to est. By the time I get ack tothe U.S. the trench sil bea hal mile tunnel.” He gladly shows off his worker's bls. Post says communication ‘asa problom at first so he taught the Catan “high fives” and how to say “right on, dude.” ‘Wes Rehiberp was puting the finishing ‘oaches on a mural when he adie that there was @1tof chas on the worksite, ‘mosly dv oa lek of material and wos, ‘la of work stl needed to be dane on the rar He shrugged and says, "But so what? ‘The park an the mural remains 26a sym LURE ees * Bankruptoy + Foreclosure ‘Need A Car? Aftaid You Can't Qualify? Embanassed? Let Us Help! Our Influence with the Banks makes it possible fr you to buy the car you deserve, just ike everyone else. Highest Approval Success Rate Finance Sources exclusive to Larry H. Miller (Call for an appointment Monday-Friday 9-6» Saturday 1046 1-800-825-9871 262.3391 ASK for Erie Larry H. Miller Honda 4646 So. State St.» Murray, Ut12. Piao Eye Weakly © November 17, 1993 ‘Americans pat wit the loca Commitee forthe Defense ofthe Revlon. True Balavrs oust good quests? bol that we touched each other.” He Sopped what he was doing and sed. °T fect hopeil, and U's more than I've fel Mundo lived with the Cubans in ‘lamar daring the project and heard how srateful they were to the Americans for this gesture. He got an electric fesling watching the supposed adversaries work logue. “We didnt ge pai, bat we gota lot of flitlment out ofthis, We all made frends for lie, we'll always be wekome here.” The park is bigger and more co plete than Fir appears ‘AL he ceremony opening the park, an “American chorus sang “Heaven knows how we will get there lil be hard. we know. The road will be muddy and long, ‘Bur we wil gt there. Heaven tno hv we wil ge there he embargo is obsolete and I tunenforceable,” according (0 aecttet Howard Glazer, “They need ovr products, and who knows, they might be able w teach us a thing o two.” (One ofthe biggest challenges faring the United States is concern over universal health cre, Cab has it nd i's workable What they don't have is reasonably priced medicine. In order to get by they're now ‘making sutures oat pig gut Tnstoad of paying What her ecunros o for pharmaceatical from the United Stats, Cubans have t buy from middle ‘men around the world at pries tat are tree. and fourtimes higher Gan hey are inthe United Stas. One UN. study ex ‘mates that Cubans waste $6 million ann Dy. Hesham Rage (second, om et) with the $10,000 worth of insu (in coolers) hella brought into Cuba ‘denied to any county,” Dr. Ragab say) rmatce-of-facly. "We will not accept 4 blockade that denies medical si to chil “ren” One gets he idea he's not going to Slop, and he explains why, "A few years| ago tore was an outbreak of dengue fever | in Cuba,” Ragab says, “The inseeticile tied to eradicate the care was avaiable in our county, but was not allowed 10 be Sold, a was the treatment forthe eile ‘One hundred and fifty-one children did ‘Tha’s quite a message wo sen.” He says he now has 8 moral obligation to break US tow ravel Challenger protestors are cnectiaed by the Cuban experi ‘ence, For the tre believer, read Ing about Cuba snd going tom lies in the United tates is one thing, Meeting withthe comrades atthe local Committees for the Defense of the ‘Revolution (CDR) is another. I's an inj tion of faith for those who Uhh sci ism may have a chance io survive, or pos: Sibly win over, capitalism, It goes farther than an occasional chant for “Cuba Si Blokeo No,” Bu plies isa wickir ques tion that members ofthe group sidestep “Many express the belief that on is ether a commited supporter of Cuba and social ' reed School teacher says he esti= mates half the group are “ve elivers”in ‘Castro and Cuba. He says you can’thave a strongman iciaor suppressing dissent and have justice ina country, but he's dough arguing about it, "Those that are docti naire are too much forme. Some are onthe finge, but most of us would rather talk shoutout aeivies here, van our philoso py Donel them Isai that" He didn’. ‘wan his name used ‘Ata party thrown for the Americans, a surprising amount of plical support can bbe heard for Castro, Eight or nine ‘Amencans meet wa the CDK and pat 8 pias saying “in love with socialism andthe EDR.” The clapping andthe chanting of CGaban slogans begin. The Americans ea 1y become cheesleaers withthe Cubans, (tis it Tor the Cuban system? Castro Should lead America, says a young ‘American man with a Che Guevara Bion fon “i's completely forcign to our people to have a president who thinks,” the ‘African-American man tells the Cubans, “At home I'm being fed the answer they think T want to hear, bat never the tut ally on embargo costs fr medicine “AL ims they do without. That infur: tues doctors lke Hesham Ragab from Los ‘Angeles and members of his group, Pediatricians and Parents for Peace. The octrs raised $10,000 in six wesks wo buy ‘much needed insulin and cary it into Cuba, “Humanitarian aid will not be ener f Ae Ua Ke ry Sas Karaoke isthe perfect way to ven up any s6clal event We dovall the work, you have all the fuin. CORPORATE PARTIES + REUNIONS + HOME PARTIES Plan Your Holidayaraoke Party Now! 272-0121 THE THREE FACES OF EVE, noon, and morning when working with Lynda & Bill ©0O HM For all of your 550-1301 Real Estate needs or Eg Bill Tracy 599-2208Fidel is 2 great communicator of what 1 want to ear” Is it good manners, oF do they trly believe Cuba and is form of socialism-communism is on the right teack? IF $0, shoulda’ the leaders of the Freedom to Travel Challenge protest just ‘come out and say they are for Casi’s Cul, and against US. policy? Leaders of tho Freedom to Travel Callenge tel reporters it's a noo poical trip. They don’t want to comment on repfesive faves of Castro's Cuba. Caso ‘refered direc to Medea Benjamin in his speech and sho stood next to him in a reception line. When questioned about ‘what that experience was like, and was it the culmination ofthe trp for her, she Aidt want otal about Global Exchange, one of the primary sponsors of the tip 8a non-profit agony ofeing “realty tours." These tours go 10 thid-wortd counties 1 “investigate poli cal realities." It allows Americans the ‘pportnity to ask people i ters are bused or whotbr there's ecanomic justice under certain regime. In many of tose countries, poverty and injustice go hand-in-hand. Some reality ‘our groups will help human righ invest gators travel by providing bodyguard, ‘You can pay torisk your life and hep them expose a lack of democracy and justice. ‘While the repression in counties like El Salvador is far worse, the Freedom to Travel Campaign downplays civil rights abuses in Cuba, No ks wih plc i Sidents are on the group's agenda, But there are plenty of show tour to hospitals and clinics So, this wip wo Cuba is flere, “This furcalar campaign i focused on US. po icy.” says Pam Montanaro, “Not on opin. ions about what's going on inside Cuba People can go out on their own and bear that it's nota police state where people can't speak.” She ads, "T don't have the sense this r0up is overwhelmingly i si. on of idl, hy're in suppvt of Cubans working out her own solution.” Yet, ata meeting with Castro, an African-American man is overcome with emotion when he speaks 10 him. “As a Marxist-Leninist, 'bolieve many of us respect and adore you, believe you ere a Tole model forth worl.” Thats pit ‘The moment of truth has arrived Immigration and Customs agents ait, In the Houston sigpot, three pees inthe eys AP rede conn {51030 pm. RADIO TROPICAL ‘SB soem fabio Besa Nowarber 17, 1998» Pvoe Eye Weely © 19 ‘Dave Ransom ales he newsmedla upn is aval bck home in Dever. He's wiling to pay te pico it ravel restrictions. Psychologist Philip Colgan says andthe protestors can now beter see ‘the Cuban perspective onthe world, Challenge group approach theie first inspection. ‘Dave Ransom is onnging back a uavel bag, shit and (wo audio tapes of Coban ‘music, Ransom has cleverly disguised ‘where he's come fom by wearing a lage yellow baton stating, “For Friendship and Peace with Cub.” Jus in ease the Feral ‘officials missed ha message, he aso bears ‘passport stamped in Cuba, “It wouldn't hhave been cool if they completely ignore the woe thing,” he says, "We want them o realize that a lt of Americans are going to challenge tis unconstitutional law.” PRESENTS MWS ‘CULTURAL MUSIC FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE Sure enough, an astute Custom’s raspector detained Ransom, “He as spologetic;” Ransom says. "He said,“ save w do what I've been told to do.” He ssked about Cuba. He said, “| understand t's ally nice and 2 beautiful place to go." told him, "yeah it was." The inspector ts tld Ransom that he thought he law needed 1 be changed Because it was ool. 'shand silly, Custom’s agents read Ransom hes rights nd eiod his passport. for evidence, Iwas a seary and inuimidaing experience be sys, bat wor it, °T could face ison sentence, a fine oF maybe community see: ice, and t's okay,” the former detainee says, "If you're willing to get involved you've goo be wlng 1 take te heat” Ransom didn't have his Coban psses- sions seized, unlike dozens of others, sccording to the The Freedom Travel fers. Pastors for Peace director Tom Hansen’ son Keenan had a book bag and Sey chain taken away ffom him in Miami ty Cusiom’s officials. Four-year-old Keenan repomedly asked, "But isn't that sealing?” One 12:yeaF- old ha to remove tshirt given to him in Cancun, and iors cn to wip were inlerogned with ‘ut parents or 2 lawyer, according to Montanaro. One woman irom Nebraska «n't want wo give up her personal oural and was handcuted for i She was later leas, Siuy people now fae federal prosecu- tion. The Justice Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control are reviewing the evidence. Aoeney General Janet Reno has talked with members of Paso for Peace abot the suc ‘When the Freedom to Travel protest leadees went to Washngion befor the trip to moot with White House advisors, they were mildly surprised atthe adjectives visors thomselves used to describe the current uavel restiction policy, "Words Sich as absurd, ational, crazy” accord ing to Medea Benjamin, “We oven heard the word sual Isa policy the adminis: tron knows is razy an time w change, Buc if there is no prosecution, the law becomes a joke, and Cuban-Amerians in the CANF will have lest. The two Cuban ‘American members of Congress are siongly calling for prosecution ‘Congressional hearings on the Cuban pi: yar scheduled fo November 18, ‘The following day, a Pasors for Peace trip will again land in Cub in viltion of the law. The nea illegal Travel Challenge trp is scheduled for December 27, The ‘Campaign is planning a tip in June that wil bing 500 poople to break the a ‘Those on the ip all have a much beater understanding of Cuba and its people Some want to share inthe sug> il, cers ave more concemed about solt- tions. Afra week of visiting hospital, housing projets, farms, and for some, poo” Dl's homes in Cube, they've come avay ‘eur informed. Mach of the information tame from the government, but i's more than they had before they arrived, This ist the CNN version, they've seen it for homselves Many, if not all, are moved by the ‘experience on some level, Through their rofessons, most are already caring about eople-o-people conact. Phillip Colgan teaches psychology atthe University of Minnesoa. "A wip lke this, for these pen- le, reassures ther faith in humanity. he's Because people are people and they forthe ‘most par, have goodness in them, respec lve of what their government up to,” he ‘sid. Colgan ses himself and others as hav ‘nga new world opened up them, “They ow have the perspective that "My way of sceing the werd i just one way. There are ‘other ways. Ie was an inlet exercise Tefoe, Now tcomes from te ear.” Wh hey may not all agree on shat they take back from Cuba, but they do agree on one thing DON'T MISS THIS WEEKEND— THE PERSONALS ot Club 90° Nov. 18-20 Eutectic Toy ot Maggie McGee's * Nov. 19-20 IMPACT ot Club Norwood" Nov. 17.20 KENT THOMPSON at Ebenezer’s Nov. 19-20. SPARQUEE at Choo's to Ya" Nov.19-20 “A Pivate Club For Members BOOKING EARLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS, RUTH ORR 466-1197