15) ICAP AWARDS FRIENDSHIP MEDAL TO LIZ HILL

On February 15, Elizabeth Hill, president of the Canadian‑Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA‑Toronto), was awarded with the Friendship Medal of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, in recognition of her outstanding example of solidarity with the Island. The medal was presented by Kenia Serrano, president of ICAP (the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples), in a simple ceremony at the institution's headquarters.

     Over the past several decades, Liz Hill has opened her home in Toronto to a countless number of Cuban artists, intellectuals and civil servants. She has carried out tireless work for the liberation of the Cuban Five and for an end to the blockade, emphasized Erperanza Luzbert, director of ICAP's North American Department.

     The activist, who also co‑chairs the Canadian Network on Cuba, stated that she never thought about receiving such an honour for being loyal to her ideas.

     Thanking ICAP, Liz Hill said, "this recognition is not for me alone but for everyone who is part of the Canadian‑Cuban Friendship Association and its sister organizations that make up the Canadian Network on Cuba.

     "The CCFA‑Toronto was founded 35 years ago when 17 people gathered together in someone's living room to organize a group in support of Cuba. We appreciated the assistance of the Vancouver-based CCFA, which was the second such organization created in the world after the Triumph of the Revolution and the formation of ICAP...

     "Long before that meeting I had actually fallen in love with Cuba when I was in high school. Our school books, our music and our economy were dominated by our biggest neighbour, the USA. I resented this and believed Canadians had a right to their own culture and destiny. I was deeply inspired when Cuba, a country so much smaller than Canada, stood up to the United States and said it would run things its own way. No more casinos, no more discrimination, no more foreign domination.

     "The people of Cuba chose independence and sovereignty that worked for the wellbeing and justice of its own people inspired by the visions of its leaders: Jose Marti, Che, Celia Sanchez, Fidel and Raul Castro and numerous others. This is the vision that I wanted for Canada too...

     "Over the years I've learned a lot, met wonderful people in Canada and Cuba, and worked with a great collective in the CCFA, CNC, ICAP, and the Cuban Consulate and Embassy in Canada. And I bring greetings from one of these individuals, our beloved 96‑year‑old honourary chair, Professor Lee Lorch.

     "So this Friendship Medal and honour from ICAP is for everyone, to celebrate our collective work and goals. This medal is a symbol to inspire and find new energies and friends, and to strengthen the struggle to Free the Cuban Five, End the Blockade and create lasting friendship and solidarity between Canadians and Cubans.

     "On reflection, friendship means peace. We need it as we need life."

(The above article is from the March 1-15, 2012, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)