PhD student Anita Ragunathan recently delivered a community presentation entitled "A Report Back from the 32nd Annual Ernesto 'Che' Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade" at Kingston Community House. Organized by the Kingston Peace Council, the event brought together members of the community and former participants in the Kingston chapter of the Canadian Network on Cuba.
In her talk, Anita discussed the participation of the Canadian brigade along with international brigades and union representatives in the May Day demonstration in Havana to celebrate International Workers' Day on May 1 and the International Solidarity Conference on May 2. She also discussed the devastating impacts of the U.S. oil blockade and heightening of coercive economic sanctions on Cuba; Canadian complicity with these measures including the cancellation of direct flights to Cuba, divestment from the tourism and mining sectors and its recent abstention on the United Nations General Assembly procedural vote to end the embargo; and the ingenuity and resilience of the Cuban Revolution in the face of this adversity.
The evening concluded with a screening of "Cuba After Castro", a documentary directed by Matt Belen and Abby Martin. The filmmakers also shared a note of solidarity with those attending the event.
Anita's supervisor, Dr. Margaret Little, described the presentation as "marvelous" and "an impressive talk."
Congratulations to Anita on sharing her research and expertise with the Kingston community!