Pro-Cuba protesters defy travel ban

[Bulldog]

Pro-Cuba protesters defy travel ban

By Cameron French
BUFFALO, New York (Reuters) - American protesters walked across the border from Canada on Saturday after a visit to Cuba that violated a U.S. travel ban, in the spotlight after Michael Moore's film on health care in both countries.

About 60 members of pro-Cuba group Venceremos Brigade walked the Peace Bridge border crossing linking Canada and Buffalo, New York, on their return from Havana.

U.S. travelers to Cuba often fly through Canada, which has regular flights to the country.

"The government is telling us we don't have a right to travel, and we think we do, so we're ready to wage a legal battle with our government," brigade member Kathe Karlson said as the group gathered in Fort Erie, Ontario, for the one-mile

trek across the bridge.

The protesters walked in groups of 15, hauling their luggage up a narrow sidewalk high above the Niagara River as trucks, buses and cars rumbled by on the three-lane span.

Every year since 1969, the brigade has sent a group to help rebuild public buildings in Cuba and learn more about a communist country that has been off-limits to most U.S. citizens since the ban was imposed at the height of the Cold War in the 1960s.

U.S. restrictions on trade and travel to Cuba have faced opposition lately from some lawmakers. Moore's film "SiCKO," in which he takes rescue workers injured in the September 11 attacks to Havana for free medical treatment, has also put a spotlight on the countries' relations.

U.S. authorities have been investigating Moore's trip as a potential violation of Washington's travel restriction.

Americans who travel to Cuba without permission generally don't face arrest on their return, but some face civil fines of $7,500 for spending money in Cuba without a license, and tough questions from immigrations official are typical.

Bonnie Massey, a 26-year-old social worker from the Bronx, said nine of the 600 people who have participated in the trips over the past six years have been threatened with fines.

"Those people are waiting for hearings," she said. The group would welcome the opportunity to take a case to the U.S. Supreme Court, Massey said.

They may have a long wait.

U.S. customs officials processed the first 15 members through in about 20 minutes, with minimal fuss.

© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-07-28T185315Z_01_N28335984_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-USA-CUBA-PROTEST-COL.XML&archived=False

[Bulldog]

American visitors to Cuba who defied travel ban return to U.S. via Peace Bridge


BUFFALO, New York: About 80 people who defied the U.S. government's ban on most travel to Cuba crossed back into the United States from Canada at the Peace Bridge after a two-week trip to the communist island nation.

Most of those who crossed the bridge on Saturday are members of the left-wing Venceremos Brigade, which has sought improved relations with Cuba since 1969. "Venceremos" means "We shall overcome" in Spanish.

The U.S. government imposed travel and trade restrictions on Cuba four years after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, and has largely maintained them since.

Molly Doherty, an attorney who works with the Venceremos Brigade, said protesters are usually released after acknowledging to federal border agents that they were in Cuba. Many are later sent a letter advising them they are being fined $7,500 (€5,500) or more.

But members always appeal the fine and ask for a hearing, Doherty said. So far, no hearings have been held and no fines have been collected.

The Associated PressPublished: July 29, 2007

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/29/america/NA-GEN-US-Cuba-Travelers.php