Pittsburgh delegation joins fraternal fight against the US blockade

MATANZAS, Cuba, Oct 23 (ACN) Public officials and representatives of the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Sister Cities organization arrived today in the western city of Matanzas, where they expressed their intention to support the Cuban people in their struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government.

We are very happy to be here, for some of us it is simply coming home, returning to the place where our family is and for others it represents joining a new dream, commented Deno De Ciantis, president of the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Association.

We remain in solidarity with the people of Cuba and of course with Matanzas, we bring with us some proclamations of different instances of our government that we are going to deliver tomorrow during the second day of activities and exchanges in the city, he added.

Vikki (Ayanna) Jones, member and executive director of Sankofa Community Gardens and Black Urban Gardeners (BUGS) extended the greetings of the black community of Pittsburgh and the pride it represents to be in contact with the Afro-Cuban culture of this place, exponent of cultural institutions that reflect the memories of such transcendental stages in the miscegenation as slavery.

Athe headquarters of the Provincial Government of Matanzas, Lourdes Sarmiento, coordinator of programs and objectives of the economy in the territory, outlined the main actions that were carried out in salute to the 330th anniversary of the founding of the city, celebrated last October 12.

During their stay in Cuba's Athens until next Thursday, the delegation will visit sites of interest such as schools, museums, hospitals and organopónicos to establish a dialogue with the local inhabitants to get closer to the socioeconomic and cultural activities in the municipality.

Thecities of Pittsburgh, located in the state of Pennsylvania, United States, and Matanzas, strengthened their partnership of brotherhood in 1998, to forge a relationship that since then offers signs of affection, respect and friendship between the two towns.