Other speakers to include Maureen O’Sullivan TD, Sean Crowe TD, Mags O’Brien of SIPTU and Brendan Ogle of Unite

October 10th: “Mr Obama: Unblock the blockade!”  That will be the theme of an information evening to be hosted by the Irish Friends of Cuba Coalition this coming Thursday (October 13^th) at 7 pm in Unite House, 55/56 Middle Abbey Street. The event is being held a week ahead of the annual vote on UN Resolution 70/5 to end the blockade – a vote which will be particularly significant this year in light of the changing relationship between the US and Cuba.

Announcing the event, the Irish Friends of Cuba Coalition said:

“In the more than 50 years since the US unilaterally imposed its embargo on Cuba, it has cost the Cuban people more than $125 billion – over $4.5 billion during the last year alone.  Notwithstanding the thawing of relations between Cuba and the United States, significant elements of the embargo remain in place:  since December 2014, eight companies have been fined, including a penalty of over $1.7 billion levied on Germany’s Commerzbank – the largest such penalty ever imposed.

“Next Thursday’s event will examine the human impact of the ongoing embargo, and the steps which need to be taken by US President Barack Obama to turn rhetoric into reality and finally end it”, the statement said.

Speakers will include the Cuban Ambassador, HE Dr Hermes Herrera Hernández, Maureen O’Sullivan TD, Sean Crowe TD, Brendan Ogle of Unite and Mags O’Brien of SIPTU.

The event will also see the launch of a short information video featuring contributions from Dublin footballing legend and Cuba supporter Dr David Hickey and Maureen O’Sullivan TD.