National Conference for the Full Normalization of U.S.-Cuban Relations

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The National Conference for the Full Normalization of U.S.-Cuban Relations was a conference held in New York City on March 25-26 2017 at the Fordham Law School and "focused on US-Cuban relations.",

Invitation

Cuba Conference Invitation (excerpt screenshot)

The invitation for the National Conference for the Full Normalization of U.S.-Cuban Relations read in part:

"Hence, a large number of individual activists along with local and national organizations from the New York/New Jersey area, with years of united, non-sectarian coalition activities in solidarity with Cuba, and in the successful struggle to free the Cuban Five are issuing this invitation in the spirit of unity and democratic decision-making processes. Specifically, we are inviting you and/or your organization to participate in the organizing of a National Conference to take place after the results of the November 2016 Presidential and Congressional elections, when we will be able to analyze the results and their impact on moving our work forward.

"The undersigned propose that the organizers of the National Conference reach out and work closely with organizations in Cuba, such as the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) to bring a number of Cuban representatives to take part in the 2017 Conference.

"The visit of President Barack Obama to Cuba March 20-22, 2016 was an important event that should broaden the discussion on US-Cuba relations and ending US sanctions. Normal relations will mean increased political and people-to-people exchanges as more people from the US visit the Caribbean island and more genuine representatives of Cuban society, trade unionists and Afro-Cubans, women's rights and LGBT rights activists, artists and intellectuals, scientists and doctors are able to travel and speak in the United States.

"Cuba says it is prepared to discuss anything and everything with the United States, including "democracy" and "human rights." This national gathering March 25-26 will be an opportunity to bring activists together from across the United States to discuss and act on these questions back at their home base and local area.

"The National Conference will have plenary sessions, dozens of workshops on Cuba and international themes, and proposals for action to demand full and real normalization of US-Cuban relations. In addition to Conference sessions and workshops, we will also hold a major public event in a large space with prominent speakers, including from Cuba, cultural performers, and special video greetings.

Endorsements for the March 25-26, 2017 National Conference on US-Cuba Normalization at Fordham Law School

• Pam Africa, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
• Akubundi Amazu, All African Peoples Revolutionary Party, San Jose, CA
• Amadi Ajamu, December 12th Movement
• S.E. Anderson, Black Left Unity Network, Author Black Holocaust for Beginners
• Arnold August, Author and Journalist (Canada)
• Hawa Bah, Mother of Mohammed Bah, murdered by NYPD, fighter for justice
• Tom Balanoff, President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, Chicago*
• Iris Baez, Anthony Baez Foundation
• Nellie Bailey, WBAI Radio, Host and Producer Behind the News
• Clever Banganayi, Deputy General Secretary, Friends of Cuba Society, South Africa
• Amina Baraka, activist, artist, Newark, NJ
• Fr. Luis Barrios, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY
• Arnoldo Barron, July 26 Movement Organizer in New York before the Cuban Revolution, founder Casa Cuba, Casa de las Americas
• Thomas Blanton, Solidaridad Exportaciones, Washington, DC
• Keith Bolender, Author, Voices from the Other Side
• Nancy Cabrero, Casa de las Americas
• Leslie Cagan, Peace and Justice Organizer
• Joe Callahan, Minnesota Cuba Committee
• William Camacaro, Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle
• Emily Coffey, Engage Cuba Colorado Council
• Mariela Castro Espin, Director, Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX)
• Greg Clave, Co-Chair, National Network on Cuba
• Omowale Clay, December 12th Movement
• Dr. Andy Coates, Former President, Physicians for a National Healthcare Plan
• Jason Corley, July 26 Coalition
• Dr. John Cox, Professor of Global Studies, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Director, Center for Holocaust, Genocide &Human Rights Studies
• Tim Craine, Greater Hartford Coalition on Cuba
• Jodi Dean, Professor, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
• James Early, Institute for Policy Studies Board, Former Director Cultural Heritage Policy
• Tami Gold, Filmmaker, Professor of Film and Media, Hunter College
• Andres Gomez, Antonio Maceo Brigade Smithsonian Institution Center Folklife and Cultural Heritage
• Steve Early. Author and Journalist, Trade Union Organizer
• Todd Eaton, NYProtest
• Fritz Edler, former Local Chairman, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 482, Washington, DC, Railroad Workers United
• Soffiyah Elijah
• Steve Eckardt, Chicago Cuba Coalition
• Howard Ehrman, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
• Mark Emanation, American Federation of Musicians Local 14*
• Bryan Epps, Director, Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center
• Malia Everette, Founder and CEO, AltruVistas
• Erin Feely-Nahem, LMSW, Cuba Solidarity New York
• Jim Ferlo, President Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership, member Pennsylvania State Senate 2003-15
• Jon Flanders, Former President International Association of Machinists, Local 1145, Retired
• Franklin Flores, Casa de las Americas
• Ellen David Friedman, Labor Notes Policy Committee
• Mark Friedman, Los Angeles, Marine Biology Instructor, Los Angeles Maritime Institute and Redondo Beach CA United School District
• Glen Ford, Executive Editor, Black Agenda Report
• Albert Fox, Tampa, FL, Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy Foundation
• Jane Franklin, Author: Cuba and the U.S. Empire: A Chronological History
• Pat Fry, Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism
• Martin Garbus, Attorney
• William Gerena-Rochet, DiaspoRicans/Disporiquenos Network, New York City*
• Joan P. Gibbs, Esq
• Margaret Gilpin, LCSW, Past President US-Cuba Health Exchange, filmmaker, Cuba In Focus WBAI Radio, NYC.
• Piero Gleijeses. Professor of United States Foreign Policy, Johns Hopkins University
• Stan Goff, Author and Anti-War Activist, US Special Forces (Retired)
• Robert Grace, Former Executive Board Member, New York State Public Employees Federation
• Bob Guild, Marazul Charters
• Teresa Gutierrez, International Action Center
• Larry Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization for Progress
• Tamara Hansen, Author, Cuba solidarity activist, Coordinator, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity
• Tarik Haskins, Universal Zulu Nation
• Doug Henwood, author Wall Street: How It Works and for Whom, contributing editor, The Nation magazine, publisher Left Business Observer
• Dr. Alberto Jones, President, Caribbean American Children Foundation
• Ben Jones, Artist and Activist, Jersey City, NJ
• Alicia Jrapko, Co-Chair, National Network on Cuba
• Ron Kaminkow, General Secretary, Railroad Workers United
• Chuck Kaufman, Alliance for Global Justice
• Stephen Kimber, Professor, School of Journalism, University of King’s College, Halifax, Canada, Author, What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five
• Margaret Kimberley, Editor and Senior Columnist, Black Agenda Report
• Dequi Kioni-Sadiki, Chair, Malcolm X Commemoration Committee
• Steve Kramer, Vice President 1199SEIU, 1199SEIU Caribbean and Latin America Democracy Committee
• Michael Krinsky, Attorney
• Cheryl LaBash, Co-Chair, National Network on Cuba
• Ray Laforest, Co-Founder Haiti Support Network
• Gloria La Riva, Coordinator, Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee
• Dr. Eloise Linger, Professor Emerita, SUNY Old Westbury, former leader in the section for scholarly relations with Cuba, Latin American Studies Association (LASA)
• Joe Lombardo, United National Antiwar Coalition
• Jeff Mackler, National Secretary, Socialist Action
• Esperanza Martell, Professor, Hunter College
• Pamela Ann Martin, Philadelphia, longtime activist working to end the US embargo, consultant on legal travel to Cuba
• Chris Matlhako, General Secretary, Friends of Cuba Society, South Africa
• Luis Matos, World Organization for the Rights of the People to Healthcare
• John McAuliff, Director, Fund for Reconciliation and Development
• Brother Shepard McDaniel, Universal Zulu Nation
• Dr. Rosemari Mealy, Author: Fidel and Malcolm X – Memories of a Meeting
• Bob Miller, July 26 Coalition, Sheet Metal and Rail Transportation (SMART) Union Local 60
• Peter Miller, July 26 Coalition of Boston
• Rafael Cancel Miranda, Puerto Rican Independence Fighter
• Anne Mitchell, Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism
• Roberto Monticello, Cuban-American Filmmaker, part of US delegation with President Obama in Cuba
• Radhames Morales, Fuerza de la Revolucion
• Derrick Morrison, New Orleans Social Justice Activist
• Luci Murphy, Art for the People, Washington, DC
• Omari Musa, DC Metro Coalition in Solidarity with the Cuban Revolution
• Ike Nahem, Cuba Solidarity New York, July 26 Coalition
• Estevan Nembhard, New York District Organizer, Communist Party USA
• August Nimtz, Professor of Political Science and African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota
• Sally O’Brien, WBAI Cuba In Focus
• Nino Pagliccia, Author, Editor Cuba Solidarity in Canada: Five Decades of People to People Foreign Relations
• Vijay Prashad, Author and Journalist, Professor of International Studies, Chair in South Asian History, Trinity College
• Luis Proyect, The Unrepentent Marxist
• Benjamin Ramos Rosado, New York Cuba Solidarity Project
• Merle Ratner, Co-Coordinator, Vietnam Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign*
• Carla Riehle, Minnesota Cuba Committee
• Lee Robinson, African Awareness Association, Richmond, VA
• Suzanne Ross, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
• Pepe Rossy, Albany (New York) Cuba Solidarity
• Azza Rojbi, Journalist, Coordinator, Friends of Cuba Against the Blockade, Vancouver, Canada
• Ursula Rozum, Green Party, Central New York
• Larry Rubin, Solidaridad Exportaciones, Washington, DC
• Malcolm Sacks, Venceremos Brigade
• Angelica Salazar, AltruVistas
• Cesar Sanchez, July 26 Coalition
• Isaac Saney, Co-Chair, Canadian Network on Cuba, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
• Brock Satter, Mass Action Against Police Brutality*
• Bob Schwartz, Disarm/Global Health Partners
• Joel Schwartz, Civil Service Employees Association*
• Banbose Shango, Co-Chair, National Network on Cuba
• Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, President, New York State Nurses Association
• Michael Steven Smith, Attorney, Law and Disorder Radio
• Stansfield Smith, Chicago ALBA Solidarity
• Wayne Smith, Retired US State Department official, Chief of Mission, US Interests Section (now US Embassy) in Havana 1979-82
• Johnnie Stevens, Workers World Party
• Jan Strout, US Women and Cuba Collaboration
• Heide Trampus, Coordinator Worker-To-Worker, Canada-Cuba Labour Solidarity Network
• Walter Turner, President, Board of Directors, Global Exchange
• Joel Tyner, Dutchess County, NY Legislator, District 11, representing Rhinebeck and Clinton
• Bandele Tyehimbe, Pan African Connection, USA Revolutionary Party, Dallas, Texas
• Lisa Valanti, Pittsburgh CUBA Coalition
• Estela Vazquez, Vice President, 1199SEIU
• Amy Velez, New York, Coalition for District Alternatives (CODA)
• Frank Velgara, ProLibertad Freedom Campaign, Frente Socialista de Puerto Rico – Comite de Nuevo York
• Nalda Vigezzi, Co-chair, National Network on Cuba
• Jennifer Wager, Professor, Essex County College
• Gail Walker, IFCO/Pastors for Peace
• Victor Wallis, Managing Editor, Socialism and Democracy
• Michael Warren, Attorney
• Mary-Alice Waters, Socialist Workers Party
• Aminifu Williams, People’s Organization for Progress
• Louis Wolf, DC Metro Coalition in Solidarity with the Cuban Revolution, Co-Editor Covert Action Information Bulletin
• Dr. Helen Yaffe, Fellow in Economic History, London School of Economics, Author, Che Guevara: The Economics of Revolution
• Juanita Young, Longtime fighter against police brutality and killings, Mother of Malcolm Ferguson, murdered by NYPD
• Matilde Zimmermann, Professor Emerita, Sarah Lawrence College