Southern Cross Solidarity Brigade in Cuba

Havana, Jan 6 (ACN) The Southern Cross Brigade, made up of activists from Australia and New Zealand, is in Cuba to ratify its support of the Revolution.
Among the 13 members of the brigade—marking its 40th anniversary these days—is the president of Australia’s Communist Party Vinnie Molina, who considers that supporting the Cuban people is a duty, because –he said--they have decided to defend their social project despite the US siege.

Activist Mary Claire Woodforde expressed the satisfaction of the group to be able to share with the local people. She recalled previous visits here by the Southern Cross Brigade over the past 40 years. Journalists, artists, lawyers, social workers and other brigade members have had a first-hand look at Cuban reality, all these years, she said.

Cuban Friendship Institute president Fernando Gonzalez welcomed the activists and praised the significance of their presence in Cuba in the currently complex circumstances.

The major hurdle posed on Cuban economy and everyday life is the policy maintained by the United States since 1959. Such policy aims at submitting the Cuban people to severe difficulties through an economic blockade and the blacklisting of the island as a state sponsor of terrorism, Gonzalez noted.

The official thanked the friends from Australia and New Zealand who bear Cuba in their heart in the other side of the world and make huge efforts using energy and time to organize their long and costly trip to bring their support to Cuba.

The Southern Cross Brigade will stay here till January 23rd meeting a program that includes voluntary work sessions, exchanges with people at communities, work centers in the provinces of Havana, Matanzas and Pinar del Rio. Lc