Venceremos Brigade
Encyclopedia
The Venceremos Brigade is a politically motivated international organization founded in 1969 by members of the Students for a Democratic Society
and officials of the Republic of Cuba. Carl Oglesby
, Bernardine Dohrn
, Julie Nichamin, Brian Murphy, Allen Young (writer)
and other members of SDS were primarily responsible for the idea, organization and negotiations with Carlos Rafael Rodríguez
and other members of the Cuban government. The first trip in November 1969 numbered 216 and left from Czechoslovakia to avoid breaking the U.S. government's restrictions on travel to the island. It was formed as a coalition of young people attempting to show solidarity with the Cuban Revolution
by working side by side with Cuban workers, challenging U.S. policies towards Cuba, including the United States embargo against Cuba
. The yearly brigade trips, which as of 2010 have brought more than 9,000 people to Cuba, continue today and are coordinated with the Pastors For Peace
Friendship Caravans to Cuba.
The first Brigades participated in sugar harvests and subsequent Brigades have done agricultural and construction work in many parts of the island, although the "work" portion of their trips has become largely symbolic.
According to debriefing statements made to the FBI by a Cuban Intelligence officer who defected in 1983, the Veceremos Brigade was controlled by Cuban Intelligence officer Alfredo Garcia Almeida, chief of the North American Section of the Americas Department and former political counselor at the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in NYC.
Despite this accusation, the organization as a whole has experienced little censure from U.S. authorities. But the FBI has questioned individual travellers over the years. In 2010, at least 12 brigade participants enjoyed visits from the Bureau, but were left in peace when they declined to be interviewed.
A contingent of Latinos led by Young Lords' Field Marshals David Rivera and Raul Lugo traveled from the Young Lords People's Church in Chicago in 1969.
Students for a Democratic Society
Students for a Democratic Society was a student activist movement in the United States that was one of the main iconic representations of the country's New Left. The organization developed and expanded rapidly in the mid-1960s before dissolving at its last convention in 1969...
and officials of the Republic of Cuba. Carl Oglesby
Carl Oglesby
Carl Oglesby was an American writer, academic, and political activist. He was the President of the leftist student organization Students for a Democratic Society from 1965 to 1966.-Early years:...
, Bernardine Dohrn
Bernardine Dohrn
Bernardine Rae Dohrn is a former leader of the American anti-Vietnam War radical organization, Weather Underground. She is an Associate Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law and the immediate past Director of Northwestern's Children and Family Justice Center...
, Julie Nichamin, Brian Murphy, Allen Young (writer)
Allen Young (writer)
Allen Young is an American journalist, author and editor who is also a social, political and environmental activist.-Early life:Allen Young, born in Liberty, N.Y., on June 30, 1941, to Rae Young and Louis Young. His parents, both secular Jews, spent their youth in New York City, then relocated to...
and other members of SDS were primarily responsible for the idea, organization and negotiations with Carlos Rafael Rodríguez
Carlos Rafael Rodríguez
Carlos Rafael Rodríguez was a Cuban politician. Born in Cienfuegos, he became mayor of the city when he was only 20. Four years later, he joined the Communist Party and was appointed editor of the party newspaper, Hoy. He graduated from university in 1939...
and other members of the Cuban government. The first trip in November 1969 numbered 216 and left from Czechoslovakia to avoid breaking the U.S. government's restrictions on travel to the island. It was formed as a coalition of young people attempting to show solidarity with the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
by working side by side with Cuban workers, challenging U.S. policies towards Cuba, including the United States embargo against Cuba
United States embargo against Cuba
The United States embargo against Cuba is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo partially imposed on Cuba in October 1960...
. The yearly brigade trips, which as of 2010 have brought more than 9,000 people to Cuba, continue today and are coordinated with the Pastors For Peace
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization
The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization is an international religious community whose aim is to ensure justice for the oppressed peoples of the world...
Friendship Caravans to Cuba.
The first Brigades participated in sugar harvests and subsequent Brigades have done agricultural and construction work in many parts of the island, although the "work" portion of their trips has become largely symbolic.
According to debriefing statements made to the FBI by a Cuban Intelligence officer who defected in 1983, the Veceremos Brigade was controlled by Cuban Intelligence officer Alfredo Garcia Almeida, chief of the North American Section of the Americas Department and former political counselor at the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in NYC.
Despite this accusation, the organization as a whole has experienced little censure from U.S. authorities. But the FBI has questioned individual travellers over the years. In 2010, at least 12 brigade participants enjoyed visits from the Bureau, but were left in peace when they declined to be interviewed.
A contingent of Latinos led by Young Lords' Field Marshals David Rivera and Raul Lugo traveled from the Young Lords People's Church in Chicago in 1969.
External links
- Venceremos Brigade
- Pastors For Peace Cuba Friendship Caravan
- Young Lords
- Brigade who Defied Cuba Travel Ban Return to US July 26, 2010
- Background on Venceremos Brigade
Further reading
- Cuban Journal : A Poet in the Venceremos Brigade. 1970. ISBN 1581950152