The Great Sausage Sizzle to fight Ebola

Dear friends and comrades, last Saturday's (November 29) Sausage Sizzle was a roaring success... well, OK, a great success. But a success. And I say so because I have got documentary evidence. Take a look a the shots our ever alert paparazzi took during the event.

Brian extolls the goodness of our sausages

I call it a success, not so much for the amount of funds that were raised but, more importantly, the goodwill that was evident all the time during the nearly five hours we were there. Although the main purpose of the event was to raise funds to help finance Cuba's contribution in the fight against Ebola, we were also very much looking forward to see and being seen. And we certainly did see and talked to a lot of very cheerful and curious people who wanted to know about the ACFS and what we did.  

Brian tuning his instrument

 

We thank Supabarn – Waniassa - for their kindness in lending all the equipment and donating the sausages and all the other foodstuffs and giving us the opportunity to set a stall. We also thank very much the neighbourhood of Wanniassa and the surrounding areas for their generosity, solidarity and happy disposition. It was a joy to talk to all those people, young and old, who wanted to know all about the Australia Cuba Friendship Association. 

And, of course, we must also thank the weather, it was a perfect day. 
One of the most rewarding aspects of the whole morning was receiving, not just cash donations but also in kind. Or should I say in kindness. The icy poles that an anonymous gentleman brought for each one of the team members was just what the doctor ordered. Thank You Sir, you made our day!

Brian enjoys a well deserved rest

Anyone asking for me?

Team members enjoying the moment

The Canberra Committee of the ACFS thank you all for your generosity and solidarity. 
The fight against the Ebola epidemic in Africa deserves all our support. 
Luisa Espino (President)

Musica y Solidaridad

CUBAN EXTRAVAGANZA!

  

Come and join us on a non-stop evening of dancing to the tunes of Latin American music played by some of the best groups in Canberra.

If your feet start hurting, stop for a bite and a drink and enjoy Latin American food and Cuban rum and beer and other drinks.  All at very modest prices.

Saturday 27 September from 6.30pm

At St James' Uniting Church, 40 Gillies St, Curtin (opposed the shops)

$10.00 at the door

This event is organised by the Australia Cuba Friendship Association, Canberra Branch, to raise funds for a solidarity project in Cuba.

Ailí Labañino Cardoso Australia’s Speaking Tour For The “Free the Cuban 5 Campaign”

Ailí Labañino Cardoso  Australia’s Speaking Tour For the “Free the Cuban 5 Campaign” August 3-18

The Tour is jointly funded and coordinated by the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union), the MUA (Maritime Union of Australia) and supported by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (ACFS).

Aili is the daughter of Ramon Labañino, one of the Cuban Five who has been a political prisoner in the USA since 1998. He is currently serving a long prison sentence for fighting against terrorism, and he is due for release in 2022.

Ailí arrives in Canberra on August 6 following her tour of Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane. She will depart from Sydney on Monday the 18^th August.

Ailí has been politically active since her teen years and a youth leader in Cuba. As an advocate  for the freedom of the Cuban Five she has participated in meetings, events and conferences in Cuba and internationally. She has participated in various international solidarity activities in Venezuela , International Celebration of the 80^th Anniversary of the birth of Che Guevara in  Rosario (Argentina), International Symposium on the Freedom of the Cuban Five, at Holguin; Cuba’s Solidarity Event in Costa Rica; World Youth and Students Festival in South Africa (2010) and in Ecuador in 2013. She is currently completing a Masters in International Relations and Politics.

Don’t miss the Cuban solidarity event in Canberra with Ailí as a keynote speaker  in a public presentation addressed to the community of Canberra at ANCLAS (Australia National Centre for Latin American Studies). at 6:30 pm , Wednesday 6 August 2014, in Manning Clark Theater 4, ANU. Everyone is welcome.

Come  and meet Ailí, in an informal cocktail function organised by the CFMEU Canberra Branch, with the collaboration of ACFS- at the Tradies Club, Woden, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday 7h August. The famous Latin American local group “Trio Encuentro” will help you feel welcome.

For more details telephone Brian Hungerford at 62824747 or email at: brilu@grapevine.com.au

The case of the "Cuban Five"

The Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies and the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba present: “The case of the ‘Cuban Five’: relations between Cuba and the US” Public lecture by Ailí Labañino-Cardoso 6:30pm Wednesday 6 August Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 4, ANU In September 1998, five Cuban men were arrested in Miami by FBI agents. Gerardo Hernandez, Ramón Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and René Gonzalez were accused of the crime of conspiracy to commit espionage. The US government never accused them of actual espionage, nor did it prove that real acts of espionage had been carried out, as no classified document had been confiscated from the Five. Their actual mission in the United States was monitoring the activities of the groups and organisations responsible for activities against Cuba. Ailí Labañino-Cardoso, the young daughter of Ramon Labañino, one of the five Cubans who have been sentenced for more than 30 years, has spoken at many meetings and conferences in Cuba and internationally. Ailí’s presentation will highlight the significance of the Cuban Five within Cuban society and the world.  At the same time it will be a way of understanding many important elements of relations between Cuba and the US. The lecture will be followed by light food and beverages through the kind support of the Embassy of Cuba. Admission is free. No RSVP required.