Call and demand (request) freedom to travel.

[roody]

But in the meantime, disobey.

Subject: NEW BILL IN CONGRESS TO LIFT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS to Cuba: CALL YOUR REP!

A new session of Congress is underway and this is the first in a new
series of legislative updates from IFCO/Pastors for Peace.

We are very glad to let you know about a new bill that has just been
introduced in the House of Representatives: "HR874, to allow travel
between the United States and Cuba."

HR874 would remove all restrictions on travel between the US and Cuba
not only for Cuban-Americans (which is what the new White House and
Secretary of State have talked about so far), but for all "US citizens
or legal residents." IFCO/Pastors for Peace strongly supports this
initiative, as one of many steps that need to be taken to undo the
unjust, immoral, and senseless US blockade.

The bill was introduced by Reps Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Jeff Flake
(R-AZ) and has seven more original co-sponsors. Our goal is to make
that list of co-sponsors so long that the bill is guaranteed to win.

PLEASE CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE and ask him/her to give
support and co-sponsorship to HR874.

Call the Capitol switchboard: 202/225-3121, and ask for your
Congressional representative by name. Ask to speak with the staff
person who deals with foreign affairs and/or US/Cuba relations. Tell
them you're a constituent and you are asking your representative to
co-sponsor and support "HR874, the Delahunt/Flake bill to allow travel
between the US and Cuba." (It's ok to leave a voicemail message if you
don't get through.) Please let us know what you learn from the
conversation, if you get any feedback.

A parallel bill is expected to be introduced soon in the Senate; we will
let you know when it's time to reach out to your senators for their
support and also about other new initiatives as we hear about them.

This is going to be a very interesting year in Congress. With the US in
economic crisis, US/Cuba relations may not be a high priority on Capitol
Hill. But we know you agree with us and with the majority of the
people of the US that it's long past time to lift US government
sanctions against Cuba. Certainly it's TIME FOR CHANGE and we're the
ones who will make it happen!

[Judi Lynn]

1. Adding article to your subject, roody: House bill would end travel ban to Cuba

House bill would end travel ban to Cuba
Alexia Campbell
February 9, 2009 6:03 PM
Sun Sentinel
(MCT)

They didn't waste any time.

While most of the nation focused on the stimulus bill winding through Congress, nine representatives introduced a bill calling for an end to the 46-year-old ban on travel to Cuba.

The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 4 would allow American citizens unrestricted travel to Cuba for the first time since 1963. The bill by Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., and eight co-sponsors would also lift limits on travel by Cuban exiles living in the United States. The president would not be able to regulate travel to the island unless an armed conflict or armed danger arises.

The bill has gone too far, said Francisco ''Pepe'' Hernandez, president of the Cuban American National Foundation. Cuban exiles should visit their families whenever they want, but tourists shouldn't spend money in resorts that Cubans are barred from. ''It's improper and should not be allowed until the Cuban government makes some reforms,'' he said.

Bay of Pigs veteran Miguel Reyes, founder of the Cuban American Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., thinks that the bill doesn't matter much at this point. He has no plans to travel to Cuba and doesn't care if other people do.

''As an American, I think I have the right to go wherever I want to without anyone stopping me,'' said Reyes, whose views are independent from the club.

More:
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=NATIONAL&ID=565523949066518553

Viva Rep. William Delahunt. He has been a real hero for years.