Santiago de Cuba, May 2 (Prensa Latina) The U.S. solidarity brigade Levántate por Cuba spoke today with students and professors from the Universidad de Oriente, in what was its first visit to the country.
Led by Family Medicine Specialist Howard Ehrman, the brigade members, mostly from Chicago, aim to collaborate in the areas of solar energy, public health, agriculture, and culture, showing particular interest in interacting with key figures in these activities.
The Universidad de Oriente provided a space where young students and recent graduates from several neighboring provinces came together to share life experiences, alongside the image of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and his Concept of Revolution.
The Americans discussed their struggles for civil rights and an end to the genocide in Palestine, the police brutality and racial segregation suffered by people of African descent, and the pressure exerted by the government to prevent expressions of solidarity with other causes and their own compatriots.
They were also interested in learning how university autonomy works when it comes to addressing their needs and interests, the relationship with the university administration, the relationship between students from different social strata, and how the special needs of some young people are addressed.
The hosts explained the role of the Student Council and the Federation of University Students, the support they receive from the university administration, and the collaborative work between the government, the Union of Young Communists, and the Communist Party of Cuba to ensure the comprehensive training of graduates.
In addition to Dr. Howard Ehrman, the participants include Juan Carlos Vaillant, the delegate of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples in Santiago de Cuba; Diana Sedal, the rector of the Universidad de Oriente; and Amika Tendaji, executive director of the Black Lives Matter movement in Chicago.
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