[Campaign Events] [News from Cuba] [International news and events] [UK Events] [Reviews]
Evaristo, 24, a leader of students from Bayamo in Granma province, one of the most eastern and remote areas of Cuba, was in Britian for a month long tour which encompassed 15 towns and cities from Bristol to Aberdeen.
Accompanied by CSC students officer, Calvin Tucker, who drove Evaristo throughout the tour, he spoke at 25 CSC meetings 11 of which were student meetings to a combined total of around 1,000 people. Evaristo also gave one radio and four newspaper interviews.
As a result of meetings at Cambridge University and Atlantic College Cardiff, two new student groups are in the offing.
At the Labour Party Conference, Evaristo shared a platform at the CSC fringe meeting with Doug Naysmith MP, Dr. Paul Redgrave, a Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dipak Ray of the Medical Practitioner's Union and The Cuban Ambassador. The meeting focused on the American Association of World Health Report detailing the effects of the US blockade on Cuba's medical services.
In LIVERPOOL Evaristo was presented with a T-shirt by the famous Merseyside dock workers now in their third year of dispute over their sacking. With Evaristo (right) is Kevin Robisnon of the dock workers strike committee who attended the 1996 trade union solidarity conference in Havana.
Evaristo also took part in a current affairs class of 30 mature students, gave a talk to students at the John Moores University and the University of Liverpool and was guest of honour at a fund-raising meal in the Valparaiso restaurant and a dockers' party afterwards.
Father Geoffrey Bottoms (standing) introduces Evaristo to a meeting organised by PRESTON AND BLACKBURN CSC at the Vernon Gallery. More than 30 people attended to hear Evaristo explain the democratic system in Cuba with eye-witness support from Simon Watson of Bradford CSC who had recently returned from the Youth Festival.
Preston is to host the CHE exhibition from January 12th at the Harris Musem and Art Gallery in the town. Get along if you can.
In BROADSTAIRS, Kent, Evaristo shared a platform with George Galloway MP at a highly successful inaugural meeting of the East Kent Group of the Campaign led by Laurie Webb.
Held on October 16th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Che's death, the town's Pierremont Hall was packed to overflowing by more than 100 people with some visitors having to be turned away.
Laurie says: "Academics from Kent University, miners, students, workers, young and old gave George a standing ovation for his thrilling speech."
Also speaking was Kent Miners' leader Malcolm Pitt, who organised the meeting, with former Kent NUM Secretary Jack Dunn presiding. Evaristo told the meeting how much Che means to the average Cuban.
Afterwards, a collection raised £195 and £150 worth of books and t-shirts were sold. More than 20 people put their names down to be contacted by the new group. The meeting also made huge reports in two local papers and the Broadstairs Council Website. If you live in the East Kent area contact Laurie on 01843 591402 for details of local activities.