Berkeley Administration Demands End of US Blockade against Cuba

Last Tuesday, May 10, the Berkeley City Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the end of the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Cuban island

According to the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity, the initiative was introduced by the Mayor of Berkeley Tom Bates and by Councilmember Kriss Worthington.

In addition to asking for the end of the blockade the resolution instructs Berkeley City Manager to send copies to the California Senators Barbara Boxer and Diana Feinstein and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

On December 26, 2002, Berkeley, California and Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba became official Sister Cities.

The city of Berkeley belongs to the County of Alameda, in the State of California (United States). It has more than one hundred thousand inhabitants, and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city of Berkeley is known for its University, the University of California, Berkeley, recognized as one of the best in the world.

In the month of March, the City Council of Richmond, in Contra Costa County, with a population similar to the one in Berkeley, also adopted a resolution calling for the end of the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

Alicia Jrapko, of the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity was present at Berkeley City Hall when the resolution was adopted. “This resolution is the second one adopted by a city in the San Francisco Bay Area so far this year. They were adopted by their respective City Councils as a reflection of the sentiments of the majority of the people of the United States who want to have normal relations with Cuba and are in favor of the lifting of the blockade.” Jrapko added “as a growing sign of change in public opinion in the United States, other cities in California are currently considering similar resolutions”.

With information received from the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity