Bikes Across Borders sends supplies to Cuba

Monday July 3 2006

Bikes Across Borders sends supplies to Cuba
7/2/2006 5:26 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

It's part of the 17th annual Caravan to Cuba, a relief effort by Pastors
for Peace. The bus is one of several taking different routes through
America. They will meet up in McAllen, Texas, and cross the border into
Mexico.

From there the donated medical supplies and sports equipment are flown
to Cuba. The United States has embargoed Cuban goods since 1962. It
officially became law during the Clinton administration.

Since 2003, the United Nations has overwhelmingly voted to end the
embargo twice, but the United States has resisted both times.

Organizers say this trip is more than just a relief effort.

"We go as an act of protest against the blockade. We don't agree with
our country's foreign policy on Cuba that deprives the Cuban people of
food and medicine and also says that we can't legally travel to Cuba. We
don't agree with that law. We don't believe our government should be
able to tell us where we can and can't travel," Briana Harris of Pastors
for Peace said.

The stop in Austin netted 21 bicycles from Bikes Across Borders. The bus
also carries ultrasound machines, wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetic
limbs, school supplies and Little League equipment

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