Come join us for an exciting evening of food, education and dialogue as the Pastors for Peace caravan stops in Olympia.

Challenging the U.S. trade blockade on Cuba imposed since the Cold War, Pastors for Peace (ifconews.org) is a group dedicated to gathering medical aid and construction supplies for the island nation. This year marks the 20th friendshipment caravan coinciding with the 50 year anniversary of the Cuban revolution. A unique, powerful solidarity brigade of people and supplies will cross the U.S.-Mexico border on July 22, openly defying U.S. Customs travel restrictions to Cuba.

Featured speakers at the Olympia event will include Lisa Valanti, president of the U.S.-Cuba Sister Cities Association (uscsca.org) and local mechanic/organizer Rick Fellowes. Both have been involved with the caravan since its 1992 inception and will each share a tremendous wealth of knowledge about Cuba. Also featured will be this year's caravanistas who will dialogue about their reasons for joining the caravan. The speakers will begin around 7:30.

This free event will feature Cuban-style food (available for a sliding scale donation of $15-25) and is intended to help raise funds for the caravan as it proceeds down to the U.S.-Mexico border. Any amount of donation is not only appreciated but tax-deductible too. The event is welcoming of all beliefs and backgrounds and is oriented toward anyone who is curious or compassionate about Cuba.

Cuban feast menu:

Paella - Bomba rice, stock saffron with seafood and pork, meat done separately
to accommodate the less swine & shell savvy...red peppers and petit pois to
finish!
Cuban white rice - with toasted garlic oil
Frijoles negros - black beans
Plantanos fritos - ...or bananas frita and plantanos dulce, fried green
plantains & fried black plantains
Flan Cubano - also salad with ripe avacado, tomato and salt.