BY BRIAN TAYLOR

NEW YORK - "Support the U.S.-Cuba Youth Exchange and help send youth to Cuba!" That's what Jason Corley said to spectators while marching in the Puerto Rican Day Parade June 9. Over a half a million people turned out for the event. As the July 1 deadline to have applications and money turned in for the Youth Exchange comes closer, young people throughout the country are reaching out to publicize, expand participation in, raise funds, and get endorsements for the trip to Cuba.

According to the Cuba Information Project, which organizes travel for the trip, over 130 youth had applied by June 10.

Seven people from the New York U.S.-Cuba Youth Exchange marched in the parade together with the Housing Works contingent. The Housing works activists were focusing on AIDS and its effects in the Latino community, as well as protesting a ban on political issues by march organizers. All organizations with political messages were denied official access, so a few joined other contingents that were sympathetic.

A couple of the activists planning to go to Cuba received a good response from members of the ProLibertad Campaign, which is fighting for the release of all Puerto Rican political prisoners. Activists collected about $25 in donations for their trip to Cuba in milk jugs labeled "Go See Cuba for Yourself" as they passed out hundreds of flyers to marchers and observers.

"When was the last time you've been to Cuba?" barked a Cuban-American who opposed the Cuban revolution. He jumped over the police barrier, charged at the contingent, and began shouting, poking and pushing on the banner holders.

Almost immediately, marchers from the Nietos and Young Lords contingents and several others came to defend the Youth Exchange. "Back up man, they can be here like anybody else can!" shouted a youth from Nietos. Some of the spectators yelled, "Leave'em alone." With this show of solidarity, the right-winger was subdued and the police, who watched the entire event transpire without intervening, eventually removed him.

"This past weekend marked a large success," said Ryan Lewis, referring to work being done in Cleveland. Activists building the Youth Exchange set up a literature table outside of the Labor Party Advocates convention there June 7-9. "We distributed several packets put together for donations," he said. One packet contained the thesis of the Central Organization of Cuban Workers (CTC) and a series of articles from the Militant newspaper covering the 17th Congress of the CTC which took place several weeks ago. The other was a collection of articles on the May Day mobilizations in Cuba, speeches by leaders of the Cuban Revolution, and information on the Youth Exchange. Young people planning to go to Cuba sold raffle tickets at a reportback meeting from the CTC congress June 9, which were part of raising $110 toward the trip over the weekend.

"Another victory was achieved when a young steelworker from Warren decided to come to Cuba with us," Lewis said. "He considered the chance to see Cuba a `once in a lifetime opportunity,' and said if he couldn't get time off his job, he would quit it." Altogether, there are now four people in Cleveland going on the Youth Exchange.

Aislinn Pulley, a leader of the local Youth Exchange committee in Chicago reports that three people there are going on the trip so far. They are planning a host of events to raise money, including a June 16 barbecue and a June 26 showing of Strawberry and Chocolate, a popular Cuban film about the experience of homosexuals in Cuba. They also plan to march in the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

In Miami, one new person recently decided to go on the trip. Of the current eight participants, one learned about the youth exchange at a meeting of the Haitian rights group Veye Yo. They will be showing the movie I am Cuba, and organizing to have a party to raise money for the trip.

Some of the Youth Exchange participants have taken the initiative to go to national organizations and appeal to them to send delegations and endorse the trip. Reggie Mason of the New York U.S.- Cuba Youth Exchange, also president of the student government at Borough of Manhattan Community College, says he plans to attend the United States Student Association conference this month to put the issue of the Cuba trip on the floor.  
 
 
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