"Nationalization carried out by the revolution still stings them," is how one Cuban explained the latest proposal up for discussion in Congress on tightening the U.S. embargo. That act, of a people taking control of their nation, their resources, their land, is the one thing Washington finds unforgivable.

The U.S. rulers have imposed an embargo and have tried invasion, military threats and incursions, sabotage, terrorist attacks, and more. But they have not succeeded in forcing Cubans to hand their country back to those who once ruled over an island of illiteracy, malnourishment, and widespread poverty. Cuba may be small, but the determined resistance of the Cuban people has shown it is a country that cannot be conquered, as an editorial in the Cuban weekly Trabajadores reminds us.

The Clinton administration has stated current U.S. government policy - a long-standing embargo, with even tighter restrictions imposed in 1992 and again in 1994 - is sufficient to deny the Cuban people any relief. North Carolina senator Jesse Helms argues that now is the time to tighten the screws even more, while a few capitalist figures argue that the best approach to undercut the Cuban revolution is to ease up on some of the current restrictions.

Whatever the outcome of the current round of discussion in the halls of Congress, the heightened focus on U.S. government policy toward Cuba provides an opportunity to raise another voice - one of opposition to Washington's unrelenting hostility toward Cuba.

Now is a good time to turn with more energy toward organizing actions, educational events, and discussions opposing U.S. government policy. In many cities around the world events are scheduled to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Cuban independence fighter José Martí, May 19.

Recently, four regional conferences were held in the United States to plan actions protesting Washington's campaign against Cuba. These successful meetings of the National Network on Cuba and its member groups set activities for the next few months and called for demonstrations to take place in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco on October 14.

One important event taking place this summer is an international youth festival in Havana around the theme "Cuba Lives." The invitation to visit Cuba and attend the August 1-7 festival is extended to all those who are "opposed to the blockade against Cuba and cherish the right of peoples to self- determination, sovereignty, and independence." The international festival will be a chance for thousands from around the world to discuss what can be learned from the example Cuba has set and how to weigh in on the side of the Cuban people in defense of their revolution.

There are a few months to do the work of publicizing the Cuba Lives event, finding those interested in attending, and organizing the educational work and fund-raising that will be necessary to put together a broad delegation.

With more social protest actions attracting young people and workers, and the steadfastness of the Cuban people in defending their revolution, there are certain to be plenty of opportunities to find those who will want to be a part of efforts to protest U.S. policy, and take part in the Cuba Lives festival.  
 
 
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