►
Description
Docket #0618 - A hearing regarding a resolution regarding the U.S embargo on Cuba
A
This
hearing
to
order
for
the
record,
my
name
is
kendra
lara
district
6
city
councilor.
I
am
standing
in
at
the
request
of
counselor
julia
mejia,
who
is
the
chair
of
the
boston
city
council's
committee
on
labor
workforce
and
economic
development.
I'm
joined
this
morning
by
my
colleague
city
council,
president
ed
flynn
from
district
two.
A
Today's
hearing
is
on
docket
number
0618,
a
resolution
calling
for
an
end
to
the
u.s
embargo
against
cuba
and
reopening
new
travel
and
collaborative
cultural,
medical
and
academic
opportunities
between
the
two
countries.
This
matter
was
sponsored
by
my
office
and
referred
to
the
committee
on
labor
workforce
and
economic
development
on
may
11
2022.
A
We
will
be
taking
public
testimony
after
the
panel
presents
for
all
testimony.
Please
state
your
name
neighborhood
or
affiliation,
and
try
to
keep
your
comments
to
two
minutes.
If
you
are
with
us
here
in
the
chamber,
please
sign
up
on
the
sheet
near
the
chamber
entrance
and,
if
you're
interested
in
testifying
virtually
please
email,
shane,
s-h-a-n-e
dot,
pack,
p-a-c
boston.gov
for
the
link
before
turning
the
floor
to
our
panelist
I'd
like
to
acknowledge
council
president
flynn
for
any
opening
remarks.
President
flynn,
you
have
the
floor.
B
A
Thank
you,
president
flynn.
um
I
first
want
to
thank
all
of
you
for
your
solidarity
and
your
exchange
with
the
cuban
people
and
especially
to
my
constituents,
the
churches
and
organizations
in
district
6,
who
called
on
me
to
move
this
resolution
forward.
This
is
one
of
the
longest
standing
and
most
aggressive
embargoes
in
our
history
and
has
created
a
humanitarian
crisis
that
has
cost
many
human
lives.
A
It's
unorthodox
that
a
boston
city
council
committee
hold
a
hearing
on
a
resolution,
but
I
thought
that
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
let
this
learning
opportunity
pass
us
boston
has
much
to
benefit
from
open
medical,
environmental
and
public
health
exchanges
with
cuba
and
as
a
black
internationalist,
I
believe
that
I
have
a
responsibility
for
being
in
solidarity
with
oppressed
people
globally
and
I
hope
to
use
whatever
power,
resource
and
influence.
I
have
to
do
so,
and
I
think
that
holding
this
hearing
is
a
part
of
that.
A
um
I'm
now
going
to
turn
the
floor
to
our
panelists.
We
are
going
to
begin
with
the
two
panelists
who
are
joining
us.
Virtually.
We
are
joined
by
eloisa
galvao
from
the
brazilian
women's
group
equity.
Now
and
beyond,
and
sandy
eaton,
who
is
a
registered
nurse
and
a
health
justice
for
boston,
and
they
are
with
us
on
zoom-
have
them
up.
F
F
D
A
A
D
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
having
me
here.
My
name
is
eloise
rohn
and
I
am
the
co-founder
and
the
executive
director
of
the
brazilians
group,
a
27
years
old
community
organization
based
in
brighton,
where
we
work
with
the
whole
state.
The
brazilian
women's
group's
mission
is
to
empower
women
and
some
men
to
become
financially
independent
and
speak
up
for
themselves
to
advocate
for
their
rights.
D
D
As
a
community,
we
have
come
a
long
way.
Brazilians
started
to
immigrate
to
boston
in
large
numbers
in
the
mid
late
80s
established
themselves,
mainly
in
boston,
somerville
and
framingham.
Housing
costs
have
taken
tall
in
our
community,
and
people
are
moving
towards
far
away
from
the
cities,
but
it
is
embossed
on
that
they
shot
that
they
work
and
that
they
look
for
entertainment.
D
We
are
the
largest
and
most
organized
brazilian
community
in
the
us,
with
several
organizations
led
by
brazilian
women,
and
we
have
five
brazilians
elected
to
position.
The
state
house,
city
councils
and
school
committees
since
the
pandemic
has
started
we
um
we
haven't
closed
our
doors
and
we've
realized
that
our
members
needed
financial
support,
but
also
help
information.
We
joined
equity
now
and
beyond
and
together.
We
have
organized
about
30
vaccination
clinics
in
the
greater
boston
area
and
we
have
vaccinated
about
2
000
people
from
5
years
old.
D
On
my
sis,
I
want
to
share
with
you
an
experience.
My
sister
is
a
pediatrician
in
brazil
and
she
worked
with
cuban
doctors
in
health
clinics
around
the
city
of
rio
general
many
times
she
mentioned
to
me
how
helpful
they
were
and
how
happy
she
was,
what
a
difference
they
made
working
side
to
side
with
brazilian
doctors
in
poor
neighborhoods.
D
D
The
brazilian
women's
group
and
myself
personally
support
an
end
to
the
cuban
brocade.
It's
totally
nonsense,
a
political
decision
that
has
harm
our
eyes
and
should
end.
I
appreciate
the
boston
council
um
city
council
take
on
this
issue
and
I
think
that
we
all
would
benefit
from
our
resolution.
Condemn
this
blockade.
Thank
you
again
for
having
me.
H
Thank
you
very
much,
I'm
very
grateful
to
the
committee
uh
and
to
the
whole
city
council
for
this
opportunity
and
I'm
particularly
personally
grateful
for
coming
uh
early
in
the
in
the
program
because
uh
well
I
have
a
medical
appointment
at
my
community
health
center
uh
early
this
afternoon
and
I'm
very
glad
to
uh
be
taken
early,
um
I'm
a
retired,
critical
care
nurse
and
I'm
a
patient.
As
I
mentioned
in
a
fine
community
health
center.
H
My
first
taste
of
working
in
healthcare
was
at
the
old
boston
city
hospital
for
fourth
floor
pavilion
building
back
in
1963,
so
I've
been
kicking
around
healthcare
for
a
while
you're
going
to
hear
a
lot
of
facts
and
figures
and
insights
during
the
course
of
today.
I
trust,
but
let
me
just
bring
this
uh
my
remarks
uh
into
focus
by
saying
it's:
it's
around
enlightened
self-interest.
H
H
Healthcare
there
is
is
a
social
good
and
not
uh
uh
a
vehicle
for
individual
or
corporate
aggrandizement.
It's
it's
people,
not
profit,
is
the
motive
and
that's
what
some
of
us
in
this
country
have
been
fighting
hard.
Many
of
us
in
this
country
been
fighting
hard
for
for
a
long
long
time,
and
certainly
uh
environmental
justice
is
impossible
in
a
militarized
uh
world
with
military
blocks,
and
I
I'll
just
personally
add
a
footnote
that
the
uh
long-standing
uh
u.s
occupation
of
of
territory
uh
on
the
island
of
cuba
should
should
be
ended.
H
We've
done
newsletters
to
try
to
inform
people
and
we're
currently
more
active
on
social
media,
but
the
I
also
uh
represent
the
fund:
healthcare,
not
warfare,
working
group
of
massachusetts,
peace
action
and
we
and
I'm
there
collaborating
as
a
representative
of
mascara
the
massachusetts
campaign
for
single-payer
healthcare.
So
let
me
see
that
we
in
this
country
need
to
put
our
healthcare
system
on
a
sharply
different
basis:
marketplace
medicine
and
its
priorities
shuts
down
facilities
and
services,
a
way
they're
most
needed
if
they're
not
profitable
enough.
For
somebody.
H
I
just
want
to
say
that
we've
got
a
long
way
to
go.
I'm
very
glad
that
we're
taking
the
step
in
boston,
we
know
folks
like
us
across
the
country,
are
finding
their
way
forward
to
speak
out
to
end
this
militarized,
ending
right
now,
the
62
year
old,
illegal
uh
blockade
of
cuba.
We
need
dialogue,
we
need
sharing
uh
vaccines
and
we
need
sharing
of
lessons
on
how
to
treat
each
other
and
live
together
in
peace.
Thank
you.
A
J
A
C
Thank
you,
I'm
catherine
delore
from
mission
hill
and
I'm
very
pleased
to
see
that
the
boston
city
council
is
taking
on
this
very
important
action.
I'm
here
representing
myself
as
well
as
women's
health
institute,
as
well
as
the
more
than
1
000
members
of
the
massachusetts
peace
action
organization.
C
C
In
the
united
states,
we
can
see
how
the
public
health
factor
in
the
public
health
system
has
failed
us
or
the
system
has
failed
the
public
health
system,
because
we
have
not
had
the
resources
in
public
health
to
carry
out
those
actions
that
we
can
do
right
now
within
the
united
states.
Only
2.5
percent
of
the
health
budget
goes
to
public
health,
just
think
of
all
the
rest
of
the
money
that
goes
to
acute
care
and
non-preventive
actions.
C
Life
expectancy
in
the
united
states
is
78
years.
It
is
the
same
for
those
in
cuba
we
spend
in
the
united
states.
We
spend
twelve
thousand
five
hundred
dollars
for
each
and
every
single
person
for
health
care
in
cuba.
They
spend
five
thousand
dollars,
so
we
have
to
ask
ourselves:
why
is
that
happening?
C
Cuba
has
enshrined
their
whole
health
care
system
within
their
constitution
so
that
they
focus
on
public
health
and
prevention,
and
a
number
of
other
ways
that
we
can
look
at
how
that
has
been
manifested
is
to
look
at
the
infant
mortality
rate,
those
of
us
in
public
health.
If
we
could
have
no
one
other
statistic
to
look
at
to
decide
how
the
health
care
system
is
functioning,
we
would
look
at
the
infant
death
rate.
The
reason
for
that
is,
it
tells
us
a
little
bit
about
the
health
care
of
the
mother
over
her
life.
C
It
tells
us
what
kind
of
prenatal
care
she
had
and
what
kind
of
health
care
they
had
when
they
were
in
the
process
of
delivering
within
the
united
states.
We
have
5.6
infant
deaths
per
1000
births
in
cuba.
That
is
3.8,
that
is
in
the
united
states.
It
is
47
greater
death
rate.
A
recent
manifestation
of
the
impact
of
the
blockade
on
the
difference
between
the
united
states
and
cuba
has
to
do
with
our
uh
dealing
with
the
cove
pandemic.
C
With
the
pandemic,
we
were
not
allowed.
The
united
states
was
not
allowed
to
share
any
information
about
our
vaccines,
the
processes
with
it
and
so
forth.
So,
therefore,
cuba
had
to
go
and
develop
its
own
vaccine
for
kovic,
their
sober
donna
was
wonderfully
developed.
They
have
manifested
again
much
greater
positive
aspects
towards
the
covid
pandemic
than
we
have
in
the
united
states
in
the
in
cuba.
C
They
have
had
only
75
cases
per
100
000
compared
to
305
cases
per
100
000
people
of
the
people
who
are
vaccinated
in
cuba.
It's
88
in
the
united
states
we're
only
down
to
67
percent
and
the
most
startling
statistic
relating
to
the
pandemic
has
to
do
with
the
death
rate
for
covet
and
the
pandemic
in
cuba.
C
A
J
uh
Thank
you,
chairwoman.
I
actually
don't
have
any
questions.
I
encourage
and
applaud
you
for
being
here.
um
Sorry,
I
didn't
catch
your
name,
catherine
de
laurie,
mr
laurie.
uh
Thank
you
so
much
and
welcome
for
being
here.
uh
Thank
you
and
my
many
thanks
to
councillor
lara
for
filing
this
and
for
holding
this
hearing
um
on
such
an
important
as
a
such
important
issue.
J
As
an
african
woman,
I
deeply
I
have
deep
respect
for
cuba
for
all
of
their
um
influence
and
work
that
they've
had
to
uh
they.
They
put
in
with
the
guerrilla
militia
in
west
africa,
in
ghana,
and
also
with
amilca
cabral,
to
liberate
cape
verde
leading
to
our
independence
and
much
more.
Cuba
is
actually
the
only
country
that
actually
provides
scholarships
to
medical
students
in
cuba.
Then
they
would,
I
think
they
work
for
a
couple
of
years
and
then
they
have
to
they
can
return
to
cape
verde.
J
So
cuba
is
a
reason
why
we
have
uh
doctors
in
cape
verde,
islands
in
west
africa
and
much
more.
The
list
goes
on
and
on
I'm
I
have
deep
respect.
I
encourage
and
support
this
uh
filing
and
look
forward
to
learning
more
and
if
I
have
any
other
questions,
I
guess
in
the
second
round
I
can
ask
them.
Thank
you
so
much.
A
Thank
you
so
much
counselor
fernandez
anderson.
um
I
think
it
goes
without
saying
that
cuba
has
stood
in
solidarity
with
so
many
members
of
the
international
community
with
other
folks
haven't
and
that
their
public
health
infrastructure,
their
um
their
values
and
their
principles
to
put
people
before
profit
have
really
been
a
benefit
not
only
to
the
cuban
people
but
to
other
countries
across
the
world.
So
I
am
happy
that
we're
really
having
this
conversation
here
today.
A
One
of
the
questions
that
I
have-
and
this
will
be
for
any
of
the
panelists-
can
any
of
you
talk.
I
think
we've
talked
about
the
impact
that
the
blockade
and
the
embargo
have
had
on
cuba
during
the
covet
19
pandemic,
but
they've
really
been
able
to
make
strides
in
public
health
before
and
during
the
pandemic.
In
spite
of
it,
so
can
any
of
you
share
a
little
more
about
what
those
successes
have
looked
like
and
how
we
can
benefit
from
some
of
that
here
in
the
city
of
boston.
C
Well,
I,
with
sandy's
permission.
I
could
start
with
that
in
that
they
have
organized
everything
around
a
prevention
and
public
information
aspect,
they've
completely
decentralized,
their
health
care
system,
so
that
there
are
neighborhood
clinics
in
basically
every
neighborhood
in
which
they
have
a
physician
and
a
nurse,
and
as
a
nurse
myself,
I'm
really
pleased
to
see
that
they
place
the
nurse
as
at
the
same
level
as
the
physician
that
they
are
working
in
absolute
partnership.
C
They
educate
the
individuals
they
for
those
who
have
chronic
issues,
chronic
health
care
issues
they
go
to
their
homes
and
visit
them,
and
they
also
long
before
the
united
states
started
in
the
united
states.
We
started
to
recognize
the
social
determinants
of
health.
That
is,
the
aspects
of
our
own
environment
that
influence
our
health.
C
Cuba
had
already
recognized
that
and
were
educating
people
in
their
homes
and
in
their
communities
of
ways
that
they
could
do
to
influence
their
health
in
a
positive
way.
So
I
would
say
that
the
most
important
aspect
is
decentralizing:
their
health
care
system.
Looking
at
prevention
and
public
health
issues
to
work
at
health,
that's
not
to
deny
that
they
lack
some
cubilex,
some
of
the
resources
that
we
have
in
the
united
states,
but
we
have
to
look
at
how
those
resources
really
influence
health.
C
H
Thank
you
I'll
jump
in
I'm
very
grateful
to
dr
dolori
for
setting
the
stage
to
giving
that
background.
I
just
want
to
point
out
that
one
of
the
things
that
we've
been
doing
in
massachusetts
is
opening
up
dialogue
between
uh
researchers,
scientists,
medical
personnel
in
cuba
and
the
united
states
uh
and
and
uh
elsewhere
around
the
world,
but
particularly
cuba,
is
a
shining
example,
uh
but
thanks
to
the
massachusetts,
peace
action
uh
and
uh
some
of
the
folks
there
we've
been
able
to
facilitate
that.
H
H
We've
got
a
global
uh
crisis
on
our
hands.
uh
We
need
a
global
solution
and
we're
making
a
a
significant
but
small
step
in
that
direction.
By
passing
this
resolution,
and
thank
you
for
taking
it
up
and
by
building
the
movement
in
this
country
that
is
going
to
influence
the
biden,
administration
and
and
uh
and
open
things
up
and
get
back
on
to
normalize
relations
thanks.
D
And
if
I
may,
I
would
like
to
add
about
the
health
workers
experience
that
cuba
has.
We
have
the
same.
We
have
the
same
experience
in
brazil.
We
have
people
who
go
to
uh
your
house
and
knock
at
the
door
and
check
on
people.
That's
how
we
dealt
with
dengue
um
since
we
you
know,
since
the
current
president,
which
was
elected
in
2018.
D
um
This
has
been
he
works
for
the
the
body.
He
doesn't
want
to
prevent
the
spread
of
the
bible,
so
it
was
a
bad
moment.
It
has
been
a
bad
moment
for
us,
but
I
just
want
to
point
out
how
much
we
could
learn
if
we
have
health
workers
and
doctors
from
cuba
here
teaching
us
showing
us
how
they
work
the
neighborhood,
what
we
don't
do
in
united
states,
we
very
individualist
we
take
care
of
ourselves,
but
we
have
to
look
at
their
experience.
D
A
A
K
Thank
you
so
very
much,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
all
the
city
councilors
uh
advocate
for
this
uh
important
uh
resolution.
I
am
so
blessed.
This
is
the
right
thing
to
do:
james,
4
17.
Whoever
knows
the
right
thing
to
do
and
yet
failed
to
do
it.
This
is
what
we
call
sin
and
I'm
so
grateful
just
to
be
here
to
offer
my
testimony
on
behalf
of
this
uh
uh
very
important
resolution:
uh
pastor
giuffa
flow.
K
K
The
haitian
cuban
corporation
agreement
committed
cuba
to
maintain
300
to
500
health
care
professionals
in
haiti
and
to
training
haitian
physicians
to
gradually
uh
that
could
gradually
replace
them.
So
cuban
doctors
went
to
paris
area
in
haiti
where
needed,
moss
and
why
medical
support
was
scales
in
city
and
rural
areas.
I
remember
in
2002
I
visited
the
southern
part
of
haiti
called
le
kai,
and
I
saw
haitian
I
mean
cuban
doctors
going
into
elderly
home.
K
Those
elderly
will
never
have
access
to
a
physician
if
it
wasn't
for
the
the
assistance
of
those
cuban
doctors
by
2004.
579
cubans
had
ended
75
percent
of
haitian
population,
where
cubans
were
stationed.
Infant
mortality
dropped
from
80
to
33
live
births
from
1998
to
2003
by
2007.
One
million
vaccines
by
cubans
and
two
ophthalmology
centers
had
been
set
up
in
haiti
as
part
of
the
operation
called
milagro.
K
As
numbers
of
haitian
medical
students
at
the
escuela
latino
americana
de
medicina
grew.
A
second
facility
was
opened
again
in
santiago
to
cuba
to
train
them
along
french-speaking
west
african
students
by
2011
625
haitians
had
graduated
as
doctors
in
cuba
and
430
were
looking
in
haiti,
mostly
in
the
public
health
care
sector.
2010
earthquake
has
been
the
paramount
of
the
uh
magnitude
of
the
support
of
from
cuba
to
haiti.
Cuba
already
had
344
medical
personnel
in
haiti,
alongside
hundreds
of
haitian
physicians
trent
in
cuba.
K
Cuban
set
up
cholera
treatment,
centers
and
oral
rehydration
posts
and
set
of
tents
by
10
exams
and
public
health
campaign
in
haitian
creole
in
2012,
again
haitian
officials
revealed
that
since
late
1998,
cuban
healthcare
workers
in
haiti
had
performed
331,
000
surgeries,
attended,
141,
000,
birth
and
saved
over
312
000
lives
over
60
000
haitians
had
their
eyesight
restored
via
operation,
milagro
and
878
haitians
had
graduated
as
physicians
from
cuba.
Cubans
were
working
in
almost
100
health
care
facilities
in
haiti.
As
we
know,
our
motto
is,
in
god
we
trust,
as
god,
children.
K
A
We
are
going
to
move
to
public
testimony
and
then
we'll
go
to
a
second
round
of
questions
um
from
my
council
colleagues,
we
are
going
to
start
our
testimony
with
the
folks
who
are
with
us
on
zoom
virtual
public
testimony
um
is
u.s
representative
jim
mcgovern
with
us
great
we're
going
to
get
started
and
then
we'll
move
through.
Dr
elizabeth
summers.
A
L
Oh,
thank
you.
Thank
you.
I'm
an
assistant
professor
in
family,
medicine,
at
boston,
university,
school
of
medicine,
as
well
as
senior
acupuncturist
and
researcher
in
boston,
medical,
centers,
integrative,
medicine
and
health
disparities
program.
I'm
speaking
on
behalf
of
lifting
the
blockade
and
embargo-
and
my
comments
are
my
own-
not
those
of
my
institutional
affiliation.
L
L
Cuba
is
way
ahead
of
where
we
are
in
this
country
and
we
could
learn
so
much
from
them
and
then,
lastly,
the
area
of
vaccines
not
only
covered
but
also
other
medications
that
are
very
effective
to
deal
with
various
types
of
cancer.
We
have
a
lot
to
learn.
I
feel
that
from
an
area
of
mutual
exchange
that
lifting
the
embargo
would
be
very
important,
as
well
as
for
addressing
social
justice
issues,
I
don't
feel
the
embargo
is
moral.
F
Yes,
I'm
here
are
you
able
to
hear
me?
Yes,
absolutely
miss
morley.
You
have
the
floor.
Great,
thank
you.
So
my
name
is
molly
morley
and
I'm
a
constituent
living
in
dorchester,
and
I
wanted
to
take
the
time
to
give
testimony
today
as
a
resident
of
boston,
on
how
removing
the
embargo
will
benefit
the
boston
city
council's
residents.
F
F
While
cuba
is
known
for
its
medical
achievements,
as
many
of
the
panelists
have
previously
highlighted,
collaboration
between
boston's
medical
community
and
cuba
will
only
enhance
boston's
reputation
as
an
international
biotech
hub
by
providing
access
to
cutting-edge
research
from
cuba.
This
knowledge,
knowledge
sharing,
will
promote
greater
innovation
and
biotech
developments
in
boston,
benefiting
the
city's
residents,
academic
institutions
and
businesses,
and
further
improving
the
city's
global
standing.
F
But
aside
from
these
medical
benefits,
what
I
would
really
love
to
see
from
the
boston
city
council
is
for
it
to
learn
from
cuba
on
its
approach
to
environmental
mitigation.
Cuba
is
an
international
leader
in
sustainable
development
due
to
its
uniquely
significant
risk
of
climate
impacts,
as
boston
increasingly
faces,
similar
impacts
from
climate
change.
The
city
could
learn
from
cuba's
successful
mitigation
strategies
and
develop
a
similarly
comprehensive
adaptation
plan.
Addressing
the
climate
crisis
requires
re-examining
long-standing
power
structures
like
this
embargo
and
reorienting
our
approach
towards
collaboration
and
cooperation
as
a
resident
of
boston.
F
I
would
love
to
see
the
city
be
a
national
leader
in
this
growing
movement
to
end
the
unnecessary
embargo.
It's
clear
the
embargo
has
failed
and
it
serves
no
national
objective.
More
specifically,
maintaining
this
tired,
cold
war
mentality
unnecessarily
hurts
the
interests
of
boston
residents
and
businesses.
F
A
M
um
So
I
am
a
professor
of
latin
american
history
and
coordinator
of
latin
american
studies
at
salem
state
university
in
salem
and
um
cuba.
Cuban
history
is
one
of
my
main
areas
of
teaching
and
research
interests.
I've
published
two
books
on
cuban
history,
a
history
of
the
cuban
revolution
and
the
cube
of
reader
history,
culture,
politics.
M
I
teach
a
course
on
the
history
of
the
cuban
revolution
and
frequently
since
1996
have
traveled
with
students
to
cuba
um
every
other
year,
more
or
less.
I
teach
my
um
history
of
the
cuban
revolution
course,
and
it
includes
a
10-day
travel
experience
in
cuba,
either
during
the
summer
or
during
our
spring
break.
M
um
So
I
come
at
this
from
an
academic
standpoint
and
especially
from
the
perspective
of
student
exchange
and
educational
exchange.
Practically
every
time
I
have
organized
my
student
trip
to
cuba.
The
rules
of
the
us
embargo
have
changed,
making
it
more
or
less
difficult,
depending
on
which
administration
is
in
power
and
where
the
with
which
way
the
electoral
winds
in
congress
are
uh
blowing,
um
making
it
difficult
in
different
ways
and
hoops
that
we
need
to
jump
through
to
uh
carry
out
this
educational
exchange.
Obviously,
boston
is
an
academic
center.
M
I
M
A
N
So
my
name
is
jim
mcgovern
and
it's
an
honor
to
speak
with
you
today.
I
represent
the
second
congressional
district
of
massachusetts
in
the
united
states
congress
and
I
currently
serve
as
the
chairman
of
the
house
rules
committee.
I
also
co-chaired
two
congressional
commissions
who
job
whose
job
it
is
to
promote
global
human
rights
and
the
rule
of
law,
the
tom
lantos
human
rights
commission
and
the
congressional
executive
commission
on
china.
N
So
my
my
career
in
public
service
has
largely
focused
on
advocating
for
and
advancing
the
human
rights
of
all
people,
both
here
in
the
united
states,
where
I
call
attention
to
our
own
human
rights
issues
as
well
as
abroad,
by
ensuring
that
our
government's
foreign
policy
serves
as
a
beacon
to
the
world
by
living
up
to
the
values
that
we
profess
and
putting
human
rights
concerns.
First,
my
first
visit
to
cuba
was
in
1979
when
I
was
a
college
student
at
american
university.
N
N
For
example,
current
regulations
prevent
cuban
americans
from
sending
money
to
their
loved
ones
on
the
island,
closing
western
union
operations
in
2020
and
adding
to
the
economic
hardships
facing
cuban
families
and
there's
the
issue
of
food
and
medical
aid.
Current
regulations
uh
to
enforce
the
embargo
make
it
nearly
impossible
for
many
companies
or
even
non-profits,
to
get
food
and
medical
supplies
to
the
island,
including
during
the
covent
pandemic.
N
N
The
embargo
hurts
its
econom
economically,
shutting
us
off
from
trade
and
tourism
with
a
neighboring
regional
economy.
There
are
many
massachusetts
businesses,
including
our
state's
biotech
medical
device
and
medical
research
sectors
or
looking
to
a
future
when
they
can
bring
innovations
from
cuba,
which
has
this
incredible
uh
medical
research
uh
program.
N
These
ideas
were
moving
forward
thanks
to
president
obama's
loosening
of
restrictions
which
relieved
tensions
and
advanced
cooperation
between
the
cuban,
the
american
peoples
and
private
sectors.
Sadly,
these
advances
were
reversed
under
president
trump
and
are
currently
on
hold,
I
said
to
say
under
the
biden
administration.
Third-
and
let
me
just
say
this
plainly:
the
embargo
is
stupid.
Let
me
be
clear:
I
don't
agree
with
the
cuban
government
on
a
lot
of
things.
In
fact,
I
have
persistent
concerns
about
their
human
rights
record.
I've
been
vocal
about
that.
N
Their
government
needs
to
listen
to
what
their
own
people
are
asking
for,
have
a
genuine
dialogue
and
address
these
needs,
but
the
united
states
has
diplomatic
relations
with
many
countries
that
have
awful
human
rights
records.
Saudi
arabia,
china,
sudan,
egypt
and
the
list
goes
on.
Our
policies
towards
cuba
are
the
exception.
N
When
we
fail
to
engage,
we
limit
our
ability
to
effectively
voice
our
concerns
on
areas
of
disagreement
or
work
cooperatively
on
areas
of
mutual
concern
and
consider
this.
Cuba
is
literally
the
only
country
in
the
world
where
american
citizens,
my
constituents,
are
prohibited
from
traveling.
I
I
think
the
american
people
are
our
best
ambassadors.
Yet
our
own
government
is
telling
uh
uh
is
telling
us
that
we
can't
travel
to
cuba
or
only
under
the
most
limited
restrictions.
N
I
don't
have
to
imagine
a
different
policy
to
a
cuba.
We
have
proof
for
over
two
years
during
the
obama
administration
shortly
thereafter,
u.s
policy
was
one
of
engagement
and
eliminating
restrictions
on
travel
and
most
forms
of
partnerships,
scientific
educational,
environmental,
health
and
cultural.
The
result
was
a
thriving
and
innovative
cuban
private
sector,
expansive
cultural
and
artistic
exchange
and
advances
in
environmental
and
scientific
research.
In
addition,
our
two
governments
expanded
cooperation
in
areas
of
mutual
concern
and
benefit
from
immigration
to
law
enforcement,
counter
narcotics
and
disaster
response.
N
So
let
me
end
with
this:
america's
embargo
has
been
a
failure.
It
is
a
relic
from
the
cold
war
which
has
long
out
state
outstayed.
Its
welcome
the
majority
of
the
american
people
support
normalizing
relations
with
cuba.
The
majority
of
cubans
support
normalizing
relationships
normalizing,
our
relations,
the
cold
war,
is
over
our
backwards.
Irrational
and
cruel
embargo
should
end
too.
I
realize
only
congress
can
end
the
embargo
once
and
for
all,
and
that's
not
probably
going
to
happen
uh
really
soon.
N
But
actions
like
this
important
resolution
introduced
by
councillor
kendra
lara,
send
a
strong
signal
to
the
nation
that
it
is
time
to
change
this
time
to
lift
the
embargo.
I
thank
the
committee
uh
for
inviting
me
to
testify.
I
thank
all
those
who
are
testifying
here
today.
um
We
need
to
move
forward
and
we
need
to
change
our
policy
now.
So
thank
you
for
your
time
and
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
with
you
today.
A
B
Good
morning,
I'm
here
uh
councillor
um
lara,
thank
you
for
holding
this
hearing.
I
um
my
name
is
juan
layton.
I'm
a
resident
um
in
roslindale.
I've
been
in
boston
for
about
33
years,
a
long
activists
in
affordable
housing.
So
I
can
much
about
those
issues
I'm
here
today,
because
I
think
I
I
and
her
act
to
follow
after
congressman
mcgovern
and
I
I
would
say
that,
as
he
was
saying,
this
embargo
or
blockade
is
not
working.
It's
just
harming
the
cuban
people
and
I
had
the
opportunity
to
be
in
cuba
back
in
june.
B
B
um
We
brought
about
two
hundred
thousand
two
hundred
pounds
like
medical
supplies,
and
I'm
saying
this
because
I
think
cuba
has
the
most
amazing
medical
system
that
has
been
said
here,
however,
because
the
blockade
because
um
covet
and
because
they
are
they
failed.
The
chain
supply,
as
we
all
know,
is
harming
them
very
deeply
and
they
don't
have
access
at
this
point
of
basic
medical
supplies.
B
B
B
um
I
I
I
mean
I
we
saw
like
a
lot
of
children
and
adults
like
having
lack
of
access
to
milk
and
and
food,
as
I
said,
and
um
and
so
on
and
so
forth,
and
I
like
to
add
that
the
cubans
are
the
most
resilient
people
that
I
ever
met
in
my
life
and
and
they
loved
people
in
the
u.s
and
and
they,
when
obama
lifted
the
embargo
a
bit
in
a
few
areas.
They
really
saw
like
a
light
and
they
could
really
sort
of
they.
B
A
O
O
There
are
just
as
many,
if
not
more,
eloquent
and
and
knowledgeable
speakers
who
have
the
complete
exact
or
the
complete
opposite
opinion,
and
I
think,
as
a
civic
organization,
you
have
the
duty
and
responsibility
to
hear
the
other
side.
Today's
panel
has
been
stacked
with
those
who
will
tell
you
one
story,
and
I,
as
a
cuban-american
son
of
someone
who
suffered
like
four
million
exiles,
have
a
completely
different
story,
completely
different
opinion
and
a
completely
different
perspective.
Now
I
don't
profess
to
denounce
or
go
against
all
of
the
speakers
today.
O
I
don't
have
the
time,
but
I
do
ask
that
the
council
hold
this
vote
and
listen
to
the
other
side
and
allow
for
others
with
different
opinions.
If
we
are
truly
going
to
champion
ourselves
as
a
diversity
minded
progressive
city,
we
need
to
hear
all
sides
of
the
argument
and,
with
all
due
respect
to
the
speakers
today,
there
are
completely
different
opinions
on
this.
But
in
the
two
minutes
that
council
lara
is
giving
me,
I
just
want
to
remind
folks
of
the
following
facts
about
cuba.
O
O
But
here's
some
just
two
more
stats
for
you
guys.
um
Cuban
exiles,
as
again
the
cuban
government
has
been,
has
been
globally
chronicled
to
condemn
for
denying
basic
human
rights.
The
embargo
is
not
the
only
reason,
or
even
the
main
reason,
that
the
cuban
government
that
the
cuban
people
are
suffering
it
is
that
60
60-year-old
totalitarian
government
that
has
not
held
free
elections
in
over
six
decades.
O
Ironically,
as
we
come
to
the
end
of
pride
month
here
in
the
united
states,
the
cuban
revolution's,
not
so
well
publicized
checkered
history
with
the
lgbtq
plus
population
over
the
past
60
years,
includes
rounding
up
gay
men
and
forcing
them
into
regime
established
prison
work
camps
known
as
military
units
to
aid
production,
which
is
where
they
deposit
all
the
undesirable
elements
of
cuban
society.
That's
just
one
of
many
examples.
O
So
before
we
go
off
lauding
all
the
greatest
all
the
great
things
of
cuba
that
once
I
will
let
you
see,
I
I
humbly
ask
that
the
boston
city
council
take
into
consideration
the
the
voice
of
cuban
americans
and
cuba
residents
who've
been
here
for
over
50
years
before
you
make
a
decision
on
this,
because
this
is
not-
and
I
repeat,
this
is
not
a
one-sided
slam.
Dunk
every
speaker
you
heard
here
has
one
side.
A
E
Okay,
awesome.
Thank
you
so
much
for
having
me
this
morning,
um
I'm
currently
calling
in
um
from
havana
cuba,
um
where
I
live
and
have
been
working
here
for
the
past
year
and
a
half.
um
You
know
as
part
of
the
cuba
team
for
witness
for
peace,
solidarity,
collective,
um
and
you
know
that
means
that
I've
been
here
during
the
time
of
cobit
during
some
of
the
most
difficult
moments.
E
You
know
I've
been
here
during
the
protests
that
happened
a
year
ago,
so
it's
been
a
pretty
historic
moment
to
be
here
on
the
ground,
and
you
know,
as
someone
who's,
you
know
both
a
proud,
bostonian
born
and
raised
um
from
a
city
that
posits
itself
as
a
leader
in
justice
and
equity
and
progress
on
a
national
and
on
a
global
level
and
as
someone
who's
of
cuban
dissent.
My
grandfather
was
born
here
and
I
still
have
family
here.
um
You
know
I.
I
support
this
resolution
wholeheartedly.
E
You
know
during
some
of
the
most
economically
difficult
moments
here
and
during
the
pandemic
and
which
biden
dragged
out
in
making
changes
to
until
recently
are
all
things
that
I've
seen
the
way
they
impact
people's
lives
on
a
daily
basis.
I
think
people
have
mentioned
in
terms
of
being
able
to
access
basic
medicines.
E
I
think
people
have
mentioned
the
impact
that
it
has
on
food
and
just
having
to
find
a
third
avenue
to
do
everything
you
know
from
being
able
to
bring
money
down
here
um
to
hold
any
kind
of
relationship
with
loved
ones
or
business
or
organizing
here,
and
you
know,
it's
also
been
an
incredibly
beautiful
moment
to
be
here.
You
know
I
was
here
during
the
entire
vaccination
process
from
the
beginning.
E
As
this
is
something
that
we've
struggled
with
in
the
u.s.
um
You
know,
as
we've
rolled
back
on
our
coveted
policies,
um
many
times
too
early
and
many
times
not
taking
into
account
those
who
are
most
marginalized
um
for
those
who
are
in
in
the
most
compromised
position.
Health,
wise,
disability,
wise
um
I've,
been
here
during
the
popular
participatory
process
and
roll
out
of
the
new
family
code.
You
know
which
seeks
to
make
space
and
hold
weight
for
all
different
kinds
of
families,
all
different
kinds
of
partnerships.
E
I
represent
this
wholeheartedly
and
you
know
I
I
can't
say
enough
about
how
big
it
is
for
a
city
like
boston
to
join
other
cities
like
cleveland,
like
chicago
who've,
also
posited
their
resolutions
and
passed
them
as
a
place
that
considers
itself
a
beacon
of
progress
and
justice
to
support
this.
Thank
you
very
much.
P
P
Have
the
floor,
thank
you
for
having
me
so
my
name
is
leticia
carley.
I
I'm
the
health
equity
coordinator
at
the
center
to
support
immigrant
organizing,
I'm
also
a
member
of
equity,
now
and
beyond.
A
health
equity
cohort
really
dedicated
to
advocating
for
sort
of
better
allocation
of
health
resources
to
immigrate,
communities
and
others.
So
I've
noticed
really
many
barriers.
P
A
lot
of
immigrant
individuals
and
also
other
marginalized
communities
have
faced
when
it
comes
to
accessing
off
resources.
These
bet
barriers
really
lead
to
sort
of
these
large
large
gaps
when
it
comes
to
the
quality
of
health
for
those
populations
and
implementing
um
things
like
community
hubs
and
having
sort
of
call
providers
really
come
meet
people.
Other
communities
is
essential
to
really
ensuring
that
these
needs
are
met
and
from
just
learning
about
sort
of
cuba's
health
care
system.
P
So,
in
addition,
sort
of
these
blockade
has
really
prevented
cubans
from
sort
of
accessing
these
key
medical
supplies
needed
to
for
them
to
really
continue
providing
these
health
services
to
these
communities.
So
that's
why
I'm
here
today
really
in
support
of
sort
of
building
these
stronger
relationships
with
cuban
americans.
A
A
Q
uh
Thank
you.
um
I
I'm.
uh
First
of
all,
I
thank
the
city
council
for
giving
this
opportunity
to
testify,
in
support
of
uh
of
the
resolution,
to
stop
the
embargo
of
cuba.
I
have
really
just
two
points
to
make.
One
is
that
this
is
not
a
judgment
about
the
government.
The
speaker
a
couple
speakers
ago,
who
said
he
represented
the
cuban-american
exile
community,
put
put
the
stress
on
the
nature
which
he
the
nature
of
the
cuban
government.
Q
Q
It
is
just
unlike
any
any
trade
dealings
that
the
united
states
had
with
much
larger
countries
more
powerful
countries,
countries
which
could
more
reasonably
consider
to
be
threatened
countries
with
nuclear
weapons,
only
cuba
or
very
few
other
countries.
Besides
cuba
have
this
embargo
imposed
on
them
and
there's
no
and
it
just
it's
in
the
nature
of
things
that
there's
no
need
for
it.
Boston
has
a
lot
to
gain
because
we're
a
major
and
internationally
known
medical
center
and
cuba
has
done
remarkable
things
in
the
uh
medical
field.
Q
Q
We're
cut
we're
a
city,
that's
known,
for
baseball
red
sox
nation,
well,
cuba's
one
of
few
other
countries
that
actually
is
interested
in
baseball,
so
it
makes
no
sense
from
the
from
our
city's
point
of
view,
to
have
this
embargo
in
place,
and
it
makes
no
sense
altogether
because
we're
not
making
a
judgment
about
the
government
of
cuba.
We're
simply
saying
that
the
people
of
cuba
are
the
ones
suffering
and
they
don't
need
to
suffer.
Thank
you
very
much.
A
A
R
All
um
today
in
havana
in
calixto,
garcia
hospital
cuba's
main
trauma
center.
There
are
23
operating
rooms,
but
only
two
have
functioning
anesthesia
machines
all
across
cuba.
Doctors
must
today
reuse
examination
gloves
because
the
met
not
because
of
any
sort
of
internal
shortage,
but
because
the
country
cannot
buy
them
on
the
open
international
market.
R
The
united
states
embargo
is
a
failed
policy
that
most
affects
the
poorest
and
most
precarious
people
on
the
island.
Madam
chair
honored
councillors.
Today
you
have
heard-
and
you
will
hear
a
number
of
pragmatic
reasons
for
ending
the
embargo
and
promoting
ties
between
boston
and
cuba,
be
they
economic,
cultural,
medical,
scientific
or
environmental.
R
R
R
S
Hello,
all
my
name
is
abiel
pomeranz
and
I
am
an
intern
with
equity
now
and
beyond
at
the
center
to
support
immigrant
organizing
first
off.
I
echo
what
so
many
others
have
said
here
today
so
eloquently
and
beautifully,
and
to
add
just
to
say
that
the
embargo
against
cuba
is
one
in
a
long
line
of
efforts
by
the
united
states
to
control
and
determine
the
governments
of
the
global
south,
especially
those
of
latin
american
nations.
S
Ending
the
embargo
would
allow
the
country
to
access
necessary
resources
through
freer
international
trade,
including
incredibly
important
and
accessible
trade
with
the
united
states.
Not
only
would
this
trade
be
mutually
beneficial
in
the
exchange
of
tangible
goods,
but
it
would
allow
the
exchange
of
values,
practices
and
institutions.
S
S
Opening.
The
u.s
relationship
with
cuba
would
allow
the
u.s
to
gain
inspiration
from
the
cuban
healthcare
model,
which
would
greatly
benefit
massive
proportions
of
our
population.
Ending
the
embargo
against
cuba
would
end
an
antiquated
punitive
and
unjust
measure
that
would
certainly
be
mutually
beneficial
for
the
cuban
and
american
people.
Thank
you
all
so
much.
Thank
you.
A
G
G
What
they
value
just
like
us
is
freedom,
their
families
and
they're
also
going
through
one
of
the
most
difficult
periods
of
their
history,
just
like
the
1990s
of
the
special
period.
Despite
all
this
they've
developed,
six
vaccines
against
covid
have
one
of
the
highest
vaccination
rates
in
the
world
and
the
cuban
people.
G
G
A
T
Good
morning,
um
thank
you
very
much.
My
name
is
nalda
vijetse.
I
am
a
boston
resident,
although
not
in
either
of
your
districts,
but
and
I've
also
been
an
employee
working
in
public
sector
within
the
city
of
boston.
For
many
many
years,
I'm
also
a
member
of
july
26
coalition,
which
is
one
of
the
oldest
cuba
solidarity
organizations
in
the
nation
and
for
20
years,
served
as
a
co-chair
of
the
national
network
on
cuba,
which
is
the
umbrella
organization
for
groups
throughout
the
country,
doing
cuba,
solidarity,
work,
recognizing
cuba,
solidarity.
T
Cuba
has
innovative
medical
health
treatments,
for
instance,
in
can
a
cancer
treatment
they've
paired
with
the
roswell
institute
in
buffalo
new
york
to
study
and
advance
this
treatment.
This
could
be
available
to
my
neighbors,
your
neighbors
here
in
boston.
They
have
an
innovative
diabetes
treatment.
Diabetes
is
one
of
the
leading
causes
of
of
death
and
ill
health
within
the
united
states.
We
could
all
benefit
from
that,
including
in
the
united
states.
T
Cuba
has
generously
offered
medical
scholarships
to
young
people,
including
dozens
from
the
united
states
who
have
studied
medicine
in
cuba
at
no
cost.
The
only
cost
is
the
moral
obligation
to
return
to
underserved
communities
and
to
offer
their
service.
This
is
certainly
something
that
the
communities
of
boston
could
could
benefit
from
to
see
doctors
who
look
like
them
who
have
been
trained
in
communities
where
they
live.
um
So
one
further
point
is
a
cultural
aspect,
and
that
is
the
hemingway
house
in
the
outskirts
of
havana.
T
Boston
has,
coupled
with
um
with
cuban
historians,
to
restore
and
preserve
that
boston
has
a
long
tie
with
that.
So
again,
there
are
many
opportunities
for
the
city
of
boston
and
for
its
residents
to
benefit
from
this
experience.
Thank
you
so
much,
and
hopefully
this
will
pass
resoundingly.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
So.
U
Thank
you
so
much
councillor
lara
and
I'm
a
very
honored
resident
of
your
district
district.
Six
in
jamaica
plain.
We
really
appreciate
all
the
leadership
you
take
here
in
the
council.
I
also
also
wanted
to
thank
councillor
fernandez
anderson
as
well.
Who's
been
really
supportive
of
our
work,
particularly
with
the
group
acedon
part
of
equity.
Now
and
beyond,
and
I
wanted
to
say,
I
have
three
hats
I'll
try
and
do
this
within
two
minutes
quickly.
U
U
We
work
closely
with
the
boston
public
health
commission
to
make
that
happen,
but
still
the
efforts
have
been
uh
fruitless
lately
and
um
and
what
what
cuba
does
and
what
the
folks
from
acid,
on
and
and
brazilian
women's
group
and
haitian
americans,
united
and
true
alliance
center,
and
hence
alpha
what
they
recognize
in
all
their
countries,
is
that
cuba's
medicine
is
based
in
the
communities,
doctors
and
nurses,
poly,
clinics
that
treat
people
and
do
visits
to
their
homes
and
the
like.
That's
what
we
need
here.
U
So
we
have
a
lot
to
learn
from
the
cuban
public
health
system.
We
want
to
have
that
interchange,
I'm
also
a
church
council
member
of
first
baptist
church,
jamaica
plain.
We
have
a
sister
church
relationship
with
church
in
my
iveki
cuba
and
juan
layton,
and
I
juan
spoke
earlier
juan
and
I
brought
down
260
pounds
of
medical
supplies
three
weeks
ago
and
it's
quite
difficult,
carrying
four
70
pound
bags
at
our
age.
I'll
tell
you,
but
they
were
so
necessary
to
bring
down
that.
We
took
them
to
our
church.
U
I
also
wanted
to
say
that
to
introduce
we're
going
to
hear,
uh
see
three
videos
now
on
the
last
speaker,
but
uh
there's
videos
from
um
a
student
at
the
elam
at
the
escuela
and
his
name
is
antonio
godoy.
I
mean
he.
um
He
started
medical
school
there
for
free.
He
says
this
back
in
february
he
lived
with
us
in
jp.
He
lived
in
jp
worked
at
purple.
Cactus
was
a
member
of
our
church
and
and
through
connections
with
our
church.
U
We
helped
him
apply
and
get
in
so
he's
testifying
from
the
alarm.
Also
pastor
manolo,
who
I
just
described
in
mayaveki,
posted
a
two
and
a
half
minute
video
as
well
to
talk
about
the
impact
of
the
blockade
and
the
importance
of
those
medical
supplies,
as
well
as
cindy
engler
who's
been
a
public
health
nurse
for
30
years,
works
a
lot
in
immigrant
communities
in
boston
with
the
commission
and
with
local
health
centers
as
well.
So
thank
you
for
your
time
and
thank
you
so
much
for
your
leadership
on
this
resolution.
U
A
A
V
V
Good
afternoon
city,
council,
member
boston,
I'm
antonio
doyle,
a
first
year,
medical
student
at
alam,
esquito,
escuela
la
latina,
americana
de
medicina
in
havana,
cuba,
it's
a
little
bit
alarm
alarm
is
a
school
in
havana,
cuba,
where
hundreds
of
students
attend
a
full
enforced
scholarship
with
the
board
covered
for
the
whole
six
years,
with
the
only
intention
and
expectation
of
you
returning
to
your
home
community
to
provide
medical
services
in
your
community.
Just
a
couple
of
uh
experiences.
I've
I've
experienced
here
from
the
blockade
in
real
time.
V
It's
just
the
medical
shortage
of
medicine,
of
certain
resources,
for
example
in
the
school.
A
lot
of
us,
my
peers,
american
peers,
the
caribbean
peers
and
kids
from
all
over
all
over
the
world
in
the
faculty.
We're
sharing
medicine
amongst
each
other,
just
because
it's
just
so
hard
to
get
certain
medicines
such
as
antibiotics,
tylenol
and
other
basic
meds
and
as
well.
Our
program
that
galaxy
recommends
us
to
just
kind
of
request:
a
three-month
stock
pound.
Just
in
case
you
just
never
know
if
they're
gonna
have
it
or
not.
The
situation
is
the
the
currency.
V
So
these
items
that
we
take
very
very
loosely
united
states,
it's
a
difficult
task
and
always
a
full
day.
Adventure
trying
to
retrieve
those
items,
and
just
for
those
reasons
me
and
my
peers,
american
peers
and
other
students
here-
are
against
the
blockade
and
continues
against
the
blockade
and
urge
the
boston
council
to
push
this
resolution.
X
Hello,
my
name
is
cindy
angler
and
I'm
a
resident
of
roslindale.
I've
worked
in
public
health
in
boston
and
in
boston,
community
health,
centers
and
hospitals
for
over
30
years.
I'm
here
to
support
the
resolution
to
end
the
u.s
embargo
against
cuba
and
opening
up
of
new
travel
and
collaborative
cultural,
medical
and
academic
opportunities.
X
This
embargo
harms
the
people
of
cuba.
Cubans
are
denied
access
to
technology,
medicine,
affordable
food
and
other
goods
that
could
be
available
to
them
if
the
united
states
lifted
the
embargo
the
past
two
years
more
than
ever
during
a
global
pandemic,
the
embargo
prevents
the
imported
medical
supplies
and
equipment.
X
No
one
believes
the
embargo
is
working
and
we
have
so
much
to
gain
if,
instead
of
starving
our
cuban
neighbors,
we
collaborate
with
cuba
in
public
health
strategies,
community
health
measures,
development
of
new
medications
and
new
treatment
protocols.
The
time
is
right.
Thank
you
for
your
work
and
for
giving
me
this
opportunity
to
speak.
A
J
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
um
and
thank
you
pastor,
kiki
for
being
here.
I
think
most
of
my
questions
throughout
listening
was
about
implementation.
I
guess
I
look
forward
to
that
post.
This
resolution
being
passed,
god
willing
I'd
like
to
thank
the
public
testimonies
today,
wonderful
work,
one
for
research.
I
thank
you
for
your
heart
and
courage
and
compassion
for
on
this
issue.
J
Again,
we
are
we're
not
in
the
business
of
demonizing
or
generalizing,
an
entire
country
based
on
failed
policies,
and
certainly
those
who
are
most
vulnerable
shouldn't
suffer
based
on
imperfections.
I
don't
think
that
even
this
nation
is
perfect
and
I
think
that
also
it
it
lends
to
um
the
ideology
of
colonialism.
It's
almost
sort
of
like
the
new
jim
crow
of
cuba.
J
How
do
we
continue
to
colonize
a
place
and,
if
we're,
if
we
can't,
if
we're
not
successful,
then
we
will
deny
them
access
and
resources
and
make
sure
that
they
suffer,
because
we
can't
take
anything
from
them.
I
look
forward
to
hearing
more
about
this
again.
Thank
you
so
much
for
having
the
insight
and,
of
course,
the
passion
to
filing
this
and
look
forward
to
hearing
from
you
all
in
your
work.
Thank
you.
A
A
Like
I
said
earlier
as
somebody
who
came
up
in
the
black
internationalist
tradition,
I
know
that
my
well-being
and
my
liberation
is
directly
tied
to
that
of
all
of
our
press
people
globally,
and
my
hope
is
that
this
resolution,
when
it
is
voted
on
on
wednesday
by
the
boston
city
council,
will
be
a
small
ripple
in
what
is
the
massive
ocean
um
of
a
movement
across
the
country
to
end
the
embargo
on
cuba.
So,
thank
you
all
and
this
hearing
is
adjourned.