Members of the 23rd Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan return to the U.S. after 10 day stay in Cuba

Havana, Jul 31 (Prensa Latina) in which they shared with the people and visited sites of interest.

The solidarity group arrived in this nation on July 21, after touring 100 U.S. cities in which they collected 100 tons of humanitarian aid in materials destined to sectors such as health and education.

During their stay here, Gail Walker and Luis Barrios, co-directors of the Caravan, told Prensa Latina that the continuity of the solidarity movement with Cuba is a must for people with conscience.

Barrios demonstrated on behalf of the group the will to continue the struggle to break the Washington-imposed economic, trade and financial blockade for over 50 years.

The religious group paid tribute in this country to Reverend Lucius Walker, who died in September 2010. He was the main promoter of the movement that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

They also received the recognition “La utilidad de la virtud” (Virtue utility), the highest decoration granted by the Jose Marti Cultural Society to prominent figures and institutions that promote and defend the foundations of the Cuban nation.

The members of the solidarity group were also informed in workshops about the updating of the economic model developed in the island, and the conditions and prospects of the Cuban society.

Their agenda here also included the meeting with relatives of Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez, the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly held in U.S. prisons, for monitoring terrorist groups based in Miami.

They also visited other Cuban provinces such as Matanzas (west) and Villa Clara (center), in which they toured some sites of interest, and took part in the celebration for the Day of National Rebellion, as July 26 is known in Cuba.

The U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravans began in 1992, as a project against the blockade through which 100 activists visited the country in that initial trip.

Wheelchairs, medicines, first aid kits, and educational and sports articles are some of the products donated to Cuba by the movement, which this time collected 100 tons of humanitarian aid.